See Also: TUN, measure(law)
measure(2)(dictionary)
measure(1)(dictionary)
Measure(medicine)
E Measure(law)
Measure - Fencing(gambling)
measure 2, noun(dictionary)
tape measure(dictionary)
BUSHEL, measure(law)
LEAGUE, measure(law)

measure(2) (iou)



measure verb. ME.
[Old & mod. French mesurer from Latin mensurare, from mensura: see MEASURE noun.]
I. verb trans.
Regulate, moderate, restrain. ME-L16.
Apportion by measure, deal out, now esp. to some known capacity or in some fixed unit. ME.
L. Stephen Sermons were measured out with no grudging hand. G. Greene She had carefully measured out a quadruple whisky.
Ascertain or determine the spatial magnitude or quantity of (something), ascertain or determine (a spatial magnitude or quantity), by the application of some object of known size or capacity or by comparison with some fixed unit. ME.
Goldsmith Instruments called anemometers..made to measure the velocity of the wind. G. Orwell He could walk three kilometres, measured by pacing the cell. A. Gray The doctor measured this with a pocket ruler.
b. Form of, raise or reduce to, certain dimensions or proportions. ME-E16.
c. Mark off or off (a line of definite length) in a certain direction. M19.
Estimate the amount, duration, value, etc., of (an immaterial thing) by comparison with some standard; judge or estimate the greatness or value of (a person, a quality, etc.) by a certain standard or rule; appraise by comparison with something else. ME.
W. Cowper Measure life By its true worth, the comfort it affords. R. Lynd It is, of course, extremely difficult to measure the happiness of any animal.
Travel over, traverse (a certain distance, a tract of country). Chiefly poet. LME.
Shakespeare Merchant of Venice For we must measure twenty miles to-day.
Encircle, encompass. LME-L17.
Mark the boundary or course of; delimit. Usu. foll. by out. poet. E16.
a. Be the measure of, be a means of measuring. L16.
J. N. Lockyer For common purposes, time is measured by the Sun.
b. Math. Of a quantity: be a factor or divisor of (another quantity). Formerly also refl., be exactly divisible by. Now rare or obsolete. L16.
a. Adjust (something) to an object or by a standard. arch. L16.
Jeremy Taylor You must measure your desires by your fortune..not your fortunes by your desires.
b. Be commensurate with. L16-M17.
Turn into metre. L16-L18.
Have a measurement of (so much). L17.
J. C. Loudon Each shutter measuring four feet six inches.
Bring into competition, opposition, or comparison with; refl. try one's strength against. E18.
Take the measure of (a person, for clothes etc.); form an estimate of; look (a person) up and down. M18.
A. E. Housman In many an eye that measures me. R. P. Jhabvala The little tailor..measured me right there..in his open shop.
II. verb intrans.
Take measurements; use a measuring instrument. E17.
B. Jowett The young carpenter should be taught to measure and use the rule.
a. Vie in measurement with; be comparable with. E18.
b. Foll. by up: be equal in ability etc., have the necessary qualifications, meet the required standard, (foll. by to). E20.
S. I. Landau A free-lancer who does not measure up is easily dismissed.
Admit of measurement. M18.
Phrases: measure back retrace (one's steps, the road). measure one's length, measure out one's length fall flat on the ground (accidentally). measure swords (of duellists) ascertain that the swords being used are of equal length (Hist.); meet in a contest or battle, try one's strength with.