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单词 measure
释义

measuren.

Brit. /ˈmɛʒə/, U.S. /ˈmɛʒər/
Forms: Middle English meosure, Middle English meser, Middle English meseur, Middle English mesewer, Middle English mesor, Middle English messur, Middle English mesuyr, Middle English meswre, Middle English mysure, Middle English–1500s mesore, Middle English–1500s mesour, Middle English–1500s mesoure, Middle English–1500s mesur, Middle English–1600s mesure, Middle English– measure, 1500s massure, 1500s measer, 1500s meisure, 1500s mesewre, 1500s–1600s measuer, 1500s–1600s measur, 1600s meassure, 1600s measuere, 1800s– meezer (English regional (northern)), 1800s– meezure (English regional (northern)), 1800s– mezzur (English regional (northern)), 1800s– mizzer (English regional (northern)); Scottish pre-1700 measier, pre-1700 measor, pre-1700 measour, pre-1700 measoure, pre-1700 meassor, pre-1700 meassour, pre-1700 meassoure, pre-1700 measur, pre-1700 meisore, pre-1700 meser, pre-1700 meseur, pre-1700 mesor, pre-1700 mesour, pre-1700 mesoure, pre-1700 mesowre, pre-1700 messor, pre-1700 messour, pre-1700 mesur, pre-1700 mesure, pre-1700 myssour, pre-1700 myssuyr, pre-1700 1700s– measer, pre-1700 1700s– measure, pre-1700 1700s– missour, 1800s– messer, 1800s– mezzur, 1800s– misser, 1800s– misure, 1900s– mizhur, 1900s– mizzar, 1900s– mizzer, 1900s– mizzor, 1900s– mizzour, 1900s– mizzur, 1900s– mizzure.
Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French mesure.
Etymology: < Anglo-Norman mesure, Old French, Middle French, French mesure (early 12th cent.) < classical Latin mēnsūra action or process of measuring, system of measurement, instrument of measurement, metrical or rhythmical value, in post-classical Latin also moderation (c1170 in a British source), purpose (1380 in a British source) < mēns- , past participial stem of mētīrī to measure ( < the same Indo-European base as methe n.) + -ūra -ure suffix1. Compare Spanish mesura (1062), Italian misura (a1250), Occitan mezura (late 13th cent.), Portuguese mesura (14th cent.). Attested in French in senses in each of the branches below; the majority of the older English senses are paralleled earlier in French.With sense 6a, compare ancient Greek μέτρον in similar uses; in man is the measure of all things (see quot. 1660 at sense 6a), after Protagoras in Aristotle's Metaphysics 1053a 36: Πρωταγόρας δ'ἄνθρωπόν ϕησι πάντων εἶναι μέτρον . In sense 8d after Italian misura (1570 in the passage translated in quot. 1594 at sense 8d). In sense 8h after French mesure (E. Borel Leçons sur la Théorie des Fonctions (1898) iii. 46; H. Lebesgue 1902, in Annali di Matematica 7 236). In sense 11, after Hellenistic Greek μέτρον in this sense. In sense 17b used (inaccurately) for Latin modus as translation of Greek τρόπος , ἁρμονία . In sense 19 after Arabic wazn, lit. ‘weight’.
I. Prescribed or limited extent, capacity, or quantity.
1.
†a. The capacity of something. Obsolete.The phrase muðes mesure in quot. a1200 parallels the Latin gula and corresponds to the phrases muðes mete (cf. met n.1), muðes meðe (cf. methe n.) which are used elsewhere in the same source with the general sense ‘mouth's capacity, appetite’.
ΚΠ
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 55 (MED) Þe lichame is cleped burh..on him rixleð lichamliche wil..and sette muðes mesure on his ferde.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 327 (MED) Whan reueres wexeþ ouer mesures [1482 Caxton mesure]..þey bodeþ also harme þat schal come afterward.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 69v Þey [sc. children]..knowiþ nouȝt þe mesure [L. mensuram] of here owne wombe.
b. An extent which ought not to be exceeded; a limit. Now chiefly in certain phrases, as to set measures to, to know no measure (see also sense 1c).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > [noun] > limit
markOE
measurea1375
bound1393
sizec1420
banka1425
limita1425
limitationa1475
stint1509
within one's tether?1523
confine1548
tropic?1594
scantling1597
gauge1600
mound1605
boundalsa1670
meta1838
parameter1967
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 1640 (MED) Mornyng out mesure to melior he wendes.
c1390 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale 465 Thilke that passeth mesure is folye and synne.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 4235 That he schal mesure His bodi, so that no mesure Of fleisshly lust he scholde excede.
?c1430 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 223 Ȝif þou passe mesure in mete and drynk..þi lif blasphemeþ God.
c1460 (a1449) J. Lydgate Fabula Duorum Mercatorum (Harl.) 615 in Minor Poems (1934) ii. 506 (MED) Riht so it farith of fals felicite, That yif his weihte mesure do exceede, Than of a fal gretly is to dreede.
?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) iii. vi. 200 Loue knoweth no mesure; but it incendeth the louer oute of measure.
?1518 A. Barclay Fyfte Eglog sig. Cijv Thou pasest mesure, Faustus.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 572/1 This mater gothe out of mesure, ceste matiere se desmesure.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies i. vi. 19 Although the great Ocean stretcheth farre, yet doth it never passe this measure.
1633 G. Herbert Church Porch in Temple xix If thy sonne can make ten pound his measure.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Apostles Creed iv. 388 What bounds can we set unto that grief, what measures to that anguish?
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 517 Full to the utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend. View more context for this quotation
1710 A. Philips Pastorals i. 14 Fond Love no Cure will have..nor any Measure knows.
a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) XI. 162 To determine and give measures to the divine bounty and wisdom, to tell it what it ought to do.
1792 T. Jefferson Let. 23 May in Papers (1990) XXIII. 539 I know my own measure too well to suppose that my services contribute any thing to the public confidence, or the public utility.
1851 Ladies' Repository July 271/2 Wealth for which we know no measure; Pleasure high above all pleasure.
1882 Cent. Mag. July 441 He would make the world a pleasance for a love that knows not measure.
1902 W. James Varieties Relig. Experience i. 7 They have known no measure, been liable to obsessions and fixed ideas.
1992 World of Interiors July 108/1 From earliest days he seems to have known his own measure, never putting a foot wrong from student days into great old age.
c. In adverbial phrases. beyond (also above, †over, †without) measure, beyond all measure, †out measure, out of (all) measure (archaic): beyond all bounds, excessively; without limit. Formerly also used predicatively (chiefly Scottish): †boundless, unlimited; excessive (obsolete).passing measure: see passing measure at passing prep. 3.There is some overlap with sense 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > excessively [phrase] > excessively or immoderately
att hofelæsc1175
with unskillc1220
above (also beyond) the moonc1300
out of score1303
beyond (also above, over, without) measurea1375
out of (all) measurea1375
beyond measure1526
above (also beyond) the nock1530
out of (also without) all cry1565
out of all hoa1592
over the top1935
a1375 [see sense 1b].
?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 137 On lenth it es withouten mesure.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 62 The damesel made grete sorow oute of mesure.
c1475 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 167 It is a pryue robberye, a theft out of alle mesure.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 810 The laiff our mesur war wery.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 570 He wes angry out of mesur.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vii. vi. 59 Abufe myssuyr forsuth thai chaistyit war.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 418/2 This adversite hath anguissed me beyonde measure.
1565 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 370 A thing sa far beyond all measour that [etc.].
1642 D. Rogers Naaman To Rdr. sig. Bv So Selfe encountred with a Law, proves out of measure sinfull.
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 375 The air is usually warm, and at some time above measure.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 73 He's so often out of Measure in his drinking.
1771 C. Powys Passages from Diaries Mrs. Powys (1899) 132 I..found it utterly impossible..to keep on, so had again recourse to my..side-saddle, provok'd beyond measure to follow Mrs. Hill.
1820 Ld. Byron Let. 13 Oct. (1977) VII. 203 It would be out of all measure and conscience to ask you to translate the whole—but if you could give me a short sketch of it.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics I. vi. iii. 216 He was full of Eckart's doctrine, out of all measure admiring the wonderful man.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxxi. 414 My Lady was once vexed beyond measure.
1875 D. A. Wasson in Freedom & Fellowship in Relig. (Free Relig. Assoc., Boston) 20 A conscious being is indeed here, and with relations out of measure higher and finer.
1906 S. Phillips Nero iii. iv. 91 I had not told you had I not Been above measure happy.
1954 G. Durrell Bafut Beagles (1956) 204 Even the staff knew that Idiurus kivuensis was the name of a beef that I prized beyond all measure.
1984 R. Dahl Boy 21 Astri was far and away my father's favourite. He adored her beyond measure.
†d. to fill up (also fill full) the measure of and variants [a blend of Matthew 23:32 with Genesis 15:16; compare Middle French, French combler la mesure (1584)] : to complete the sum of (one's iniquities), to add what is wanting to the completeness of (a person's misfortunes, etc.); also in extended and allusive use. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > make complete [verb (transitive)] > complete the full amount of
mete1600
to fill up1611
complete1649
to fill up (also fill full) the measure of1820
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxiii. 32 Ȝe fulfillen the mesure of ȝoure fadris.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. B3 When the Sodomits, and Gomorreans had filled vp the measures of their iniquitie.
1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 14 Those men..doe fill vp the measure of their iniquities with the vices of a shamelesse old age.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 250 My Measure was not yet fill'd up.
1775 T. Jefferson Let. 7 May in Papers (1950) I. 166 To fill up the measure of irritation, proscription of individuals has been substituted in the room of just trial.
1820 W. Irving Philip of Pokanoket in Sketch Bk. (London ed. 1) II. ii. 267 To fill up the measure of his misfortunes.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 91 The church was allowed a hundred and fifty more years, to fill full the measure of her offences.
1904 J. London Sea-wolf xii. 119 Having evidently filled the measure of his vengeance, he drew away from his prostrate foe.
†e. to keep (also observe) measure(s) (also a measure): to be moderate or restrained in action. †to keep measures with: to show consideration towards (a person). Frequently in negative contexts. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > behave with moderation or restraint [verb (intransitive)]
to keep (also observe) measure(s) (also a measure)a1500
to use a mean1607
go-easy1860
to pull one's punches1931
to go slow1962
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > be courteous to [verb (transitive)]
courtesy1570
notice1660
to keep measures with1709
a1500 ( W. Worcester Scrope's Dicts & Sayings Philosophers (Trin. Cambr.) (1999) 290 (MED) [a1475 Bodl. It is a fulle harde thinge and a straite] to kepe a mesur ande to be longe hole.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Oviiiv In rewardes they kepe no measure.
1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists ii. iii. 82 Our Author..endeavours to shew Civility and Favour, by keeping the fairest Measures he possibly can with the Men of this sort.
1734 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. II. 361 He thought fit to keep measures with him in the beginning, hoping perhaps by gentle methods to bring him back to his duty.
1735 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. IV. 68 The tyrants..no longer observed any measures.
1792 W. Roberts Looker-on No. 7. 53 If his taylor continue to disappoint him, I promise to keep no measures with the delinquent.
1831 Lives of Eminent Brit. Statesmen I. 100 More, having no longer any measures to keep, openly declared, that [etc.].
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters viii. 198 He keeps no measure in his contempt for him.
†2.
a. Moderation, temperance, restraint; abstemiousness. of measure: moderate, temperate. in (also by, with) measure: in moderation. in good measure: moderately; adequately. Frequently in proverbs and proverbial phrases. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > [noun]
i-metOE
hovec1175
metc1175
methec1175
measurec1225
measure?c1225
temperancea1340
methefulnessc1350
temperurec1380
mannera1382
mannernessa1382
sobernessc1384
attemperancec1386
measurablenessa1400
amesingc1400
meanheada1425
mediocrity?a1425
moderation?a1425
moderancea1460
temperancy1526
mean1531
modesty1531
temperature1536
measure-keeping1556
moderateness1571
moderature1574
sobriety1582
mediety1583
moderacy1601
temperateness1609
reserve1660
medium1693
soft pedal1899
met1932
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > moderate or with moderation [phrase]
in (also by, with) measurec1225
of measurec1400
in moderation1483
in a mean1531
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > small of quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > to some (small) extent
in (also by, with) measurec1225
in mannerc1425
somewhat1542
in some sort1556
in some (also a) measure1600
by somewhat1653
something of a(n)1711
(a) sort of, o', a, sorter1790
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > to a considerable degree
in good measurec1225
a quantityc1330
in mannerc1425
not meanly1533
in (a) great (also large, good, ample, etc.) measure1581
to some tune1692
c1225 (?c1200) Sawles Warde (Bodl.) (1938) 6 (MED) Þe þridde suster, þet is, meað..he makeð meistre ouer his willesfule hirð..þet ha leare ham mete, þet me meosure [v.r. mesure] hat.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 53 (MED) Þo þet libbeþ be þe ulesse..ne hyealdeþ scele ne mesure.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. 3305 Slep..helpeth kinde..Whan it is take be mesure.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 247 (MED) Al in mesure and meþe watz mad þe vengaunce.
a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 360 (MED) Curatis..shulden lyue on þe puple in good mesure.
a1449 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 776 (MED) Men wryte of oold how mesour is tresour.
c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 773 Iche thynge is praysed if it in mesure be.
a1500 Ratis Raving 431 Of met and drink in gud mesour.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) John iii. 34 God geueth not the sprete (vnto him) by measure.
1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. Aavj Yf we wyll be contente with a meane dyet, and kepe a measure in our apparell.
1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. v. 221 It hath euer beene held, that blushing in measure, modestie, and silence haue beene commendable tokens in young yeeres.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. iv. 7 My legs can keepe no measure in delight, When my poore hart no measure keepes in griefe. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxx. 11 I will correct thee in measure, and will not leaue thee altogether vnpunished. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 128 Knowledge..needs..Her Temperance over Appetite, to know In measure what the mind may well contain. View more context for this quotation
a1716 O. Blackall Wks. (1723) I. vii. 66 To obtain that Righteousness which they desire, (here, in good measure, and hereafter to the full).
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles xvi. 272 The prophets having grace only in measure, so in measure they wrought their miracles.
b. Restraint in conduct; modesty, discretion; prudence. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > [noun]
i-metOE
hovec1175
metc1175
methec1175
measurec1225
measure?c1225
temperancea1340
methefulnessc1350
temperurec1380
mannera1382
mannernessa1382
sobernessc1384
attemperancec1386
measurablenessa1400
amesingc1400
meanheada1425
mediocrity?a1425
moderation?a1425
moderancea1460
temperancy1526
mean1531
modesty1531
temperature1536
measure-keeping1556
moderateness1571
moderature1574
sobriety1582
mediety1583
moderacy1601
temperateness1609
reserve1660
medium1693
soft pedal1899
met1932
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 61 Muche speche..from soð..slideð to fals..from me sure in to unmete.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 254 (MED) Þe þridde stape of sobrete is zette and loki mesure ine wordes.
c1390 G. Chaucer Physician's Tale 47 With alle attemperance and pacience, With mesure eek of beryng and array, Discrete she was in answeryng alway.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Prov. xxiii. 4 Nyle thou trauele to be maad riche, but sette thou mesure [a1382 E.V. put maner; L. pone modum] to thi prudence.
a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) 3637 (MED) Grace dieu ful sobyrly..Nat hastyly but by mesure, Thus Answerde to Nature.
c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) l (MED) Wisdome, largess..connyng sure In every poynt so guydit hir mesure, In word, in dede, in schap, in contenance.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 806 Sho gafe hym a glasse with a good lycour, And bade..To werke it with mesure.
1619 A. Gardyne Lyf William Elphinstoun 43 in Theatre Sc. Worthies (1878) That Princes great sould be, With measour meek and mercifull.
c. out of (also over, without) measure: immoderately, without restraint. Obsolete.There is some overlap with sense 1c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > extremely or excessively
out of (also over, without) measure1340
with a pestilence1594
too —— for anything?a1832
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 51 Me eth and dryngþ..to lustuolliche oþer out of mesure [c1450 Bk. Vices & Virtues vnmesurabely].
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 52 (MED) Þe oþer boȝ [of gluttony] is of mete and of drinke be to moche and wiþ-oute mesure.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 371 (MED) He ȝaf hym alwey to mete and drynke, and to leccherie oute of mesure.
c1390 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale 829 The thridde [type of gluttony] is whan men taken to muche ouer mesure.
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 2262 Þi metys and drynkys arn vnthende Whanne þei are out of mesure take.
a1500 (?c1425) Speculum Sacerdotale (1936) 17 (MED) They ben vncircumcised in here tastynge, the whiche ȝyueþ hem vn-to commessacions and potacions, in dronkonnes and withoute mesure.
1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Pistles in tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Ev I that in time, and out of time Karoust it without measure.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie li Wyne which they gussel and quaffe vp without measure or reason.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman To Rdr. sig. Bv So Selfe encountred with a Law, proves out of measure sinfull.
1662 R. Mathews Unlearned Alchymist (new ed.) 44 This man..did drink without measure, but could not urine it out.
d. Moderation personified. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [noun]
neshnesseOE
measurea1393
temperateness1398
lightness?a1425
moderation?a1425
cool1562
mildness1605
weakness1707
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol. 1080 (MED) Wher that..mesure upon oultrage Hath set his world, it is to drede.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiv. 70 If men lyued as mesure wolde.
a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Harl. 4866) (1897) 502 (MED) Mesure is out of londe on pylgrymage.
1578 in P. Cunningham Revels at Court (1842) 125 A Morrall of the marryage of Mynde and Measure shewen at Richmond.
a1586 King Hart l. 935 in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. 283 That fayr sweit thing [sc. Chastity]..That..euirmore is mareit with mesour.
e. Compromise; (the use of) a conciliatory approach. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [noun]
measure1425
compromisea1513
arbitrament1549
giff-gaff1549
moderation1560
compromission1624
temporizement1647
contemperation1650
temperament1660
temporization1761
give and take1778
1425 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 5 If þis mesure be accepted..it shal cause þe attemptacion of diuerses matieres a-geyn summe frendes of þe seyd John to cese.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 1256 (MED) Or þat we procede by rigour, We schal to hem offeren al mesour.
c1475 (a1400) Awntyrs Arthure (Taylor) in J. Robson Three Early Eng. Metrical Romances (1842) 10 (MED) Mesure and mekenes, that is the most, Haue pete of the pore.
3.
a. Proportion; due proportion, symmetry, balance. Now only in phrases in senses 3b and 3c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > symmetry or regularity > [noun]
proportiona1382
measurec1384
symmetry1601
symmetry1601
conformity1607
regularness1648
balance1733
regularity1758
symmetricalness1858
symmetricality1893
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) 2 Cor. x. 13 We schulden not glorie into ful moche, but vp the mesure of reule, bi which God mesuride to vs.
c1400 Comm. on Canticles (Bodl. 288) in T. Arnold Sel. Eng. Wks. J. Wyclif (1871) III. 25 (MED) Crist..mat þe erþe, þat is, chosun men..took as his owne, and ȝaf hem grace and joie aftir þe mesure of his ȝevyng.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 4815 (MED) Ector..was..Of brawn & bonys compact be mesure.
c1475 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 221 Iustice and liberaltee..ouerseeth the rewardes and largesses and weyeth thaim by mesure egallye according to right and to the deseruynge.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lv. 116 Measure is that which perfecteth all things.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 25 For being an exercise that requireth order and measure, all things were there disordered and confused.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. ii. 123 He cannot but with measure fit the Honors which we deuise him. View more context for this quotation
1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura sig. b6v Measure and proportion have Influence on all our Actions.
b. in measure as [compare French à mesure que (1379 in Middle French)] : in proportion as.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [adverb] > in proportion to
partlike1531
in measure as?1545
?1545 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture sig. C.ii Spende in mesure accordyng as thou hast.
1789 W. Cowper Let. 16 Aug. (1982) III. 311 [Fame] is a commodity that daily sinks in value, in measure as the consummation of all things approaches.
1894 G. Moore Esther Waters 332 His irritability increased in measure as he perceived the medicine was doing him no good.
1904 J. Rhoades Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi xlvii. 269 Who part drank thereof, part spilled, Waxed partly luminous, and partly dark, And more or less in measure as they drank Or spilled it.
1977 D. Weissbort Soundings 32 I pray that I will grow wise In measure as my folly exhausts itself.
†c. to hold measure with: to be proportionate to or commensurate with. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > render relative or proportionate > be proportionate to
measure1508
to hold measure with1611
scantle1621
1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) i. sig. B2v Now let thy trust..Hold measure with thy amplitude of wit.
1859 J. S. Knowles Old Maids v. i. 337 I'll give thee in the sun and moon! My love holds measure with the universe! That mocks all bounds.
4.
a. A quantity or portion of something, esp. as granted or meted out to a person or thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > [noun] > relative quantity or amount
i-metOE
metheOE
measure1552
proportion1603
scale1607
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > sufficient or right amount
meta1400
measure1552
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > an allotted share, portion, or part > [noun] > definite or fixed
liveryc1330
allowance1440
stint1447
ordinary1481
measure1552
dimensum1631
plotment1634
limitage1635
scantling1660
ratio1751
sizing1823
ration1915
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. 6 Everilk man as God hes gevin ane mesour of faith or ane gift of grace.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 103 According to the measure of your knowledge, and proportion of your policie.
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie iii. xiv. 131 The Bucke..hath a degree and measure of all the properties of the Stag.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) ii. iii. 32 Till either death hath clos'd these eyes of mine, Or Fortune giuen me measure of Reuenge. View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1439 For never was from Heaven imparted Measure of strength so great to mortal seed. View more context for this quotation
1674 W. Allen Danger of Enthusiasm 105 Mens differences about these points proceed..from their different measures of Light and understanding.
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 203. ⁋10 A certain quantity or measure of renown.
1850 H. T. Cheever Whaleman's Adventures (London ed.) xiii. 181 We had a good measure of these contingents of successful enterprise.
1877 ‘H. A. Page’ T. De Quincey: Life & Writings I. x. 200 To do some measure of steady work.
1902 T. Hardy Poems Past & Present 138 Though ample measure Of fitting leisure Await my pleasure.
1945 W. S. Churchill Victory (1946) 64 Here the main issues were deployed, and the measures both of agreement and of difference were clearly revealed.
1986 M. Foot Loyalists & Loners 124 But perhaps he recognised at Brighton the measure and permanence of his own defeat.
b. †after some large measure, in (a) great (also large, good, ample, etc.) measure, in no small measure: to a considerable extent or degree, largely. Cf. sense 7b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > to a considerable degree
in good measurec1225
a quantityc1330
in mannerc1425
not meanly1533
in (a) great (also large, good, ample, etc.) measure1581
to some tune1692
1581 T. Norton Let. in W. Dugdale Antiq. Warwickshire (1730) II. 1111/2 T. Cromwell..having..thus searcht into lives; which by a Black Book, containing a world of enormities, were represented in no small measure scandalous.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms lxxx. 5 Thou..giuest them teares to drinke in great measure . View more context for this quotation
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 493 The recouery (after some large measure) of my health.
1659 T. Fuller Appeal Iniured Innocence i. 49 Being loath to enlarge on so odious a difference, sopited in good measure.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ i. i. §20 Which difference of writing is in a great measure the cause of the different dialect between the Athenians and Ionians.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. iii. 170 Objections against Christianity itself, are, in a great measure, frivolous.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Alcaid The Spanish alcaid answers in good measure to the French prevost, and English justice of the peace.
1785 W. Cowper Task v. 309 In whom lust And folly in as ample measure meet As in the bosoms of the slaves he rules.
1854 W. C. Roscoe in Prospective Rev. 10 398 [Shakespeare] leaves his meaning to rest in great measure on the atmosphere that hangs about his language.
1895 R. L. Douglas in Bookman Oct. 22/2 Louis [XIV] was in a large measure responsible for the horrors of the Revolution.
1935 L. J. Henderson Pareto's Gen. Sociol. v. 23 Theology and metaphysics and parts of law consist, in great measure, of systematic and extensive derivations from certain very important residues like those involving the words justice, duty, sanctity, and absolute.
1987 S. Johnson Commissioner ii. 38 Her husband's rise to one of the diplomatic service's most senior jobs had been due in no small measure to the splendid support that Lady P had offered over the years.
c. in equal measure: to the same extent. Also †upon the same measure (rare).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adverb]
evenlyeOE
evenOE
evenOE
egallyc1374
full outa1382
likea1400
even-forthc1400
unec1540
just1551
at once1588
upon the same measure1598
equal1623
equally1634
coequally1643
so1697
inasmuch1732
twinly1913
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 360 Iustice alwayes whirles in equall measure . View more context for this quotation
1664 P. Neil in J. Evelyn Pomona in Sylva 40 Cider..cannot be unwholesome, upon the same measure that stummed Wine is so.
1793 H. Boyd Poems 606 Thy love releast Thy delegate, commission'd here below, To bid thy blessings round in equal measure flow.
1841 J. W. Ord Bard 266 Theirs is the liberty of soul, The open hand, the heart for all, In equal measure piled.
1881 H. James Portrait of Lady II. viii. 115 They paused a while on the skirts of this crowd, composed in equal measure of Roman cockneys and inquisitive strangers.
1989 B. Paris Louise Brooks ii. xiv. 341 It was..critical of the working class, the bourgeoisie, and the dilettante rich in equal measure.
d. in some (also a) measure: to a certain extent, to some degree, somewhat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > small of quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > to some (small) extent
in (also by, with) measurec1225
in mannerc1425
somewhat1542
in some sort1556
in some (also a) measure1600
by somewhat1653
something of a(n)1711
(a) sort of, o', a, sorter1790
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream i. ii. 23 I will condole, in some measure . View more context for this quotation
1675 W. Wycherley Country-wife ii. i. 29 I am contented to make him pay for his scurrillity; money makes up in a measure all other wants in Men.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 188 To soften them a little, and, in some Measure, to please them.
1775 J. Jekyll Let. 29 Mar. (1894) 2 We have Gallicised in some measure already.
1837 E. B. Barrett Lett. to M. R. Mitford (1983) I. 55 The malady is called a bilious fever, brought on in a measure by cold.
1871 S. Smiles Character i. 8 Goodness in a measure implies wisdom.
1929 J. B. Miner tr. H. Piéron Princ. Exper. Psychol. iii. 54 These instincts are generally designated by a special name..which expresses in a measure the imperious character of the tendencies; we say that they are needs.
1991 R. Oliver Afr. Experience (1993) xviii. 227 All [African nations] retained, in some measure, the languages of the colonizers as languages of wider communication.
†e. Treatment (of a certain kind) meted out to a person, esp. by way of punishment or retribution. In later use only in hard measure. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > behaviour towards another or treatment
entreatisea1513
treaturea1513
behaviour?1521
entreaty1525
entreating1529
entreatance1534
usage1536
entertainment1547
demeanour1548
tractation1548
treatingc1550
treatmentc1560
entreatment1563
demean1596
carriage1598
manage1608
measure1611
quarter1615
treaty1631
treatance1644
meanora1670
treat1671
comportment1697
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > [noun]
mishandlinga1393
deraya1400
villainya1400
outraya1425
mistreating1453
mispersoning1522
misentreating1531
misusing1548
misusage1555
misuse1591
abuse1595
hard measure1611
ill usage1621
evil-usage1645
ill-treatment1667
maltreatment1702
mistreatment1716
punishment1811
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. sig. ⁋3 This is the measure that hath been rendred to excellent Princes in former times, euen..For their good deedes to be euill spoken of.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. iii. 255 This is hard and vndeserued measure . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 500 He professes to haue receiued no sinister measure from his Iudge. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 513 He from mightier Jove..like measure found. View more context for this quotation
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 558 He thought he had met with hard measure.
1785 W. Cowper Epist. to J. Hill in Task 288 Oh happy Britain! we have not to fear Such hard and arbitrary measure here.
1827 N. Amer. Rev. Apr. 290 Posterity have agreed to consider this a hard measure to be dealt out to such a man as Columbus.
1887 A. Birrell Obiter Dicta 2nd Ser. 67 It is certainly hard measure on the poor fellow.
a1901 J. Fiske Ess. Hist. & Lit. (1902) I. i. 6 Among the American loyalists of the Revolutionary period there is perhaps none who has had such hard measure as Thomas Hutchinson.
II. The action, result, or means of measuring.
5. An instrument for measuring something.
a. A vessel of standard capacity used for separating and dealing out fixed quantities of various substances (as grain, liquids, coal, etc.). Now chiefly historical except in Cookery and Building.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > the scientific measurement of volume > measure(s) of capacity > [noun] > specific liquid or dry units
miteOE
meta1325
suma1325
measurec1325
last1341
maund1365
pottlea1382
mug1400
mutchkin?1425
eightin-dele1440
rotec1484
sixtera1492
stortkyn1501
tolbot1536
firlot1549
sleek1705
modius1802
ton tight-
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring volume > measuring vessels > vessel of standard capacity
measurec1325
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 8834 (MED) False elnen & mesures he broȝte al clene adoun.
c1390 Proprium Sanctorum in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1888) 81 83 (MED) Þenne is hit [sc. wheat] winewed wiþ þe wynde, In Mesures meten.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 330 If I hafe right-wuslie..mesurd with thies mesurs to þaim at I selde ale to.
a1500 Walter of Henley's Husbandry (Sloane) (1890) 50 (MED) Se also þt your corne be mesured withe a trewe mesure, that is to say, a trewe bushell.
1508 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1902) IV. 137 For ane mesure to the Kingis gun of silvir.
1550–1 in W. Hudson Leet Jurisdict. Norwich (1892) 87 Amercyd for typplyng of ale and bere with unlawfull metts & measures.
1694 W. Holder Disc. Time 3 A Concave Measure, of known and denominated Capacity, serves to measure the Capaciousness of any other Vessel.
1707 in R. Renwick Extracts Rec. Stirling (1889) II. 113 The tounes right to the keeping of the liquid measures.
1825 Excise Guide for Innholders & Publicans (ed. 2) 7 The said T.S...shall not use..any Pots or Measures, that are not of full size.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. v. 34 A little wooden measure which had no discernible inside.
1913 L. F. Salzman Eng. Industries Middle Ages x. 188 The list of standard [ale-] measures kept at Beverley in 1423 shows a potell, quart, pint, and gill of pewter, panyers, hopir, modius, firthindal, piece, and halfpiece of wood.
1948 L. J. Murdock Concrete Materials & Pract. vii. 119 Portland cement may weigh from 75 to 95 lb. per cu. ft. according to the method of filling the measure.
1981 Bon Appétit June 106/2 Flour can be measured by scooping the appropriate dry measure into the bin and then leveling off the top with a knife.
1989 Miller's Collectables Price Guide 1989–90 325 A set of 9 copper and brass conical measures by W & T Avery Ltd., London.
b. A graduated rod, line, tape, etc., for taking measurements (used by builders, tailors, etc.). Also: †an instrument used in wig-making (see quot. 1688) (obsolete).See also tape measure n. at tape n.1 Compounds 2, and yard-measure n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring length > graduated strip of wood, etc.
rule1340
ruler1530
measure1555
scale1607
foot-rule1662
two-foot rule1664
joint-rule1680
inch-rule1850
inch-measure1851
stationer's rule1866
contraction-rule1874
measure-strip1887
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 212 The streates were also directed with corde, compase and measure.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 197 [A tailor] with his Sheeres, and Measure in his hand. View more context for this quotation
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 464/1 Instruments used by Perawick Makers... Measures, are lengths of Paper or Parchment, with Figures on, by which the Hair is Woven in the rounds, according as it is to fall in the Wig, whether long or short.
?1692 Ad Populum Phaleræ 3 Our ancient Rolls, grown useless to preserve Our Rights, may then for Taylors Measures serve.
1826 H. Hadfield Tailor's Preceptor 2 It is immaterial whether the inch or knotted measure be used.
1869 E. A. Sheldon Man. Elem. Instr. 176 If I measure four yards of cloth by a measure two yards long, how often will the length of the measure be contained in the length of the cloth?
1954 Jrnl. Philos. 51 341 He would get up from the floor, his measuring foot [for linoleum] in hand, and stare at the clock, laying down his measure in this direction and that, round about the clock.
6. A means of measuring.
a. A standard, rule of judgement, etc., against which something may be gauged, determined, or regulated; a criterion, test. Usually with of.For collocations with rule, see rule n.1 13 and Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > [noun] > that by which one measures
measure1340
sheltron1377
scantling1587
scale1626
gauge1692
measurer1775
Richter scale1958
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun] > criterion
rulec1384
meteyard?1531
touchstone?1531
plumb line1551
plummet1553
metewanda1568
touch1581
stone of touch1604
criterion1622
scale1626
criteriuma1631
measure1641
judge1642
criterie1660
foot-rule1662
mark1765
point of reference1772
metera1825
reference point1849
yardstick1869
benchmark1884
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 53 Þo þet libbeþ be ypocrisye..habbeþ tuo mesures..ane..touore þe uolke And anoþre..th.et he useþ þet non ne y-zyȝþ.
?c1450 (?a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 381 (MED) Crist is þe mesure of vertuous lyuynge & worchynge.
c1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David vi. i Lord,..let [not] thy rage of my due punishment Become the measure.
1641 in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 555 Having..no measure of happiness or misfortune in this world, but what I derive from your Majesties value of my affection and fidelity.
1660 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. III. iii. 38 He began one of his books thus; Man is..the measure of all things.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. v. 216 Our measures of Species, be, as they are, only our abstract Ideas.
1785 W. Paley Princ. Moral & Polit. Philos. ii. ix The will of God is the measure of right and wrong.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Poems 153 Man is the measure of all truth Unto himself.
1860 R. W. Emerson Fate in Conduct of Life (London ed.) 38 Every solid in the universe is ready to become fluid on the approach of the mind, and the power to flux it is the measure of the mind.
1920 R. Fry Vision & Design 7 That fidelity to appearance was the measure of art had no logical foundation.
1979 C. Milne Path through Trees II. vi. 153 Collectors..or..dealers, whose measure of a book lay in how much they had paid for it and what they thought it was worth, rather than in the pleasure it might give anybody to read it.
1991 Angry Apr. 10/2 And to these normal-minded folks, money is the measure of humanity: good people are rich and bad people are poor.
b. With of: a quantity (as of time, money, etc.) which may be used to calculate or gauge a correlative quantity; (also) a value computed as a gauge or quantification of something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > [noun] > that by which one measures > thing or quantity taken as unit of measurement
measure1612
standard1748
integer1822
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 71 Time is the measure of businesse, as money is of wares.
1635 J. Wells Sciographia 113 The tangent of SG [sc. the subtending arc] the measure of the angle Z.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) (at cited word) In Philosophy, Time is the Measure of Motion; but in Mechanicks, Motion is the Measure of Time.
1865 W. T. Brande & G. W. Cox Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art (new ed.) I. 606/1 The reciprocal of the radius of a circle is a measure of its curvature.
1913 E. L. Attwood Mod. Warship 67 The metacentric height is a measure of the stiffness of the ship.
1980 J. Rifkin Entropy ii. 35 Entropy is a measure of the amount of energy no longer capable of conversion into work.
7.
a. Any of various specific units of capacity (formerly also of length). Also: the quantity of a substance represented by such a unit.In England often used of the bushel. In translations from foreign languages sometimes used to render the names of unfamiliar units: e.g. in the Bible of 1611 as translation of seah, cor, and bath.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > the scientific measurement of volume > measure(s) of capacity > [noun] > specific measures or standards
water metOE
measurec1350
water met1426
water measure1465
Winchesterc1550
Pool measure1701
mgd1955
c1350 Apocalypse St. John: A Version (Harl. 874) (1961) 46 A voice..seide, ‘two mesures of whete for a peny And þre mesures of barly for a peny’.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xvi. 7 An hundrid mesuris [a1425 L.V. coris] of whete.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 301 (MED) Þai gaff þe abbay to amendis a messur of oyle.
1494 Will of Joan Wynne in F. W. Weaver Somerset Medieval Wills (1901) 322 ij mesers of Ode [perh. read Wode].
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xxv. 18 Fyue measures of firmentye.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iv. iii. 72 I would not doe such a thing for a ioynt ring; or for measures of Lawne, nor for Gownes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. vi. 37 To send Measures of Wheate to Rome. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. iv. 10 Anon wee'l drinke a Measure The Table round. View more context for this quotation
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 337/2 A Measure, an Hoop, or a Strick, is 4 Pecks, or 9 Gallons. Yet some reckon but 8 gallons to the Measure, which in some places is also called a Bushel.
1787 G. Winter New Syst. Husbandry 194 This field used commonly to be sowed with twenty measures of wheat, each measure containing one hundred and six pounds of eighteen ounces.
1805 R. Forsyth Beauties Scotl. II. 253 Between 20,000 and 30,000 measures in shells..the measure containing two Winchester bushels.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. vii. 234 These Brought wine, a thousand measures.
1876 J. Grant Hist. Burgh Schools Scotl. i. i. 7 The Cane of the lands..amounting to 40 Stones of cheese, 70 Measures of Barley, and a Sheep.
1924 Econ. Jrnl. 34 215 The heavier the corn (i.e. the greater the number of pounds which a given measure of it weighs) the better in general will be its quality.
1995 Connection Nov. 11/1 After spooning two measures of sugar into the brew and stirring haphazardly, the miner sat down on the old kitchen chair.
b. A unit or denomination of measurement. Sometimes with of, less commonly for.Frequently plural in weights and measures: see weight n.1 21b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > [noun] > that by which one measures > unit of measurement
measurec1384
modulea1628
standard1646
unit1681
base unit1867
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Ezek. xlv. 11 Corus..is a mesure of thritti busshellis.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 330 Þe mesure modius..is þe mesure of foure and fourty pounde.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 51 Þerfore men..folowede not the measures of spaces but reasones of diuision.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xxiv. D For all maner of weight and measure [1611 measures and size].
1555 R. Eden Disc. Vyage rounde Worlde in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 226 They..vse waightes and measures.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 56 A Barly corne (being the least measure).
1596 (title) The pathway to knowledge. Conteyning certaine brief tables of English waights, and measures.
1650 J. Wyberd Tactometria To Rdr. The Standard-measures for Wine and Ale or Beer.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 337/2 A Pint..is the least of dry measures.
1705 E. Scarburgh Eng. Euclide 92 (note) And let this measure be called the Lineal Unite.
1710 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum II Measures of Capacity.
1762 W. Young Treat. Weights & Meas. 51 Anno 1707, the earl of Godolphin, being informed that there was a difficulty in adjusting the English ale measure to the Scots measures caused examine the beer or ale measures in the exchequer of London.
1779 W. A. Smyth Publican's Guide 48 Reduced gen should never be bought by weight, because water (which is more ponderous than spirit) being a greater part of its composition..; consequently, buying by measure is more eligible.
1833 J. Bennett Artificer's Compl. Lex. 266 Mettadel, at Florence, etc. a measure of wine containing one quart and near half a pint, two whereof make a flask.
1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. ii. iii. 622 The common measure for tiling is a square of 10 feet.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 196/2 The measures of time..are the only usual ones in which a natural standard exists.
1848 Gregory's Math. (ed. 3) 120 An inch is the smallest lineal measure to which a name is given.
1957 A. C. Clarke Deep Range xv. 130 It says here that a furlong is an obsolete measure of length equal to an eighth of a mile.
1993 Sci. Amer. Feb. 33/3 The fragments shrank by increments of about three kilodaltons (a measure of molecular weight).
†c. Chemistry. A unit of volume of a gas or liquid, usually indicated by graduations on a tube or other vessel. Also: the quantity represented by such a unit. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > units or measurements > [noun] > units of volume
measure1780
1780 Philos. Trans. 1779 (Royal Soc.) 69 343 Into this tube..I introduce two measures of respirable air.
1804 T. Thomson Syst. Chem. (ed. 2) I. 600 The gas amounted to 16 very small measures.
1845 E. A. Parnell Chem. Anal. 416 Each measure of the alkalimeter represents half a grain of chloride of lime.
d. In descriptions of mixture or composition: each of a number of equal volumes of constituent material (of arbitrary quantity), used to indicate proportions; = part n.1 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > constituent part or component > one of a number of equal parts
parta1400
measure1837
1837 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 1 33/2 The concrete..is to consist of six measures of gravel and sand to one of ground lime.
1844 G. Fownes Man. Elem. Chem. 112 Carbonic acid, from 3·7 measures to 6·2 measures, in 10,000 measures of air.
1913 B. E. Jones Cassell's Reinforced Concrete 25/2 For example, 1 measure of cement, 21/ 2 of sand, and 5 of stone will make 81/ 2 measures of concrete.
1939 A. L. Simon Conc. Encycl. Gastron. I. 29/2 In U.S.A., a Hard Sauce is made with one measure of fresh butter to two of castor sugar.
1986 A. Limon in A. Limon et al. Home Owner Man. (ed. 2) i. v. 83 When mixed by hand, 2½ measures of sand are placed in a flattened heap on the mixing platform.
1993 Artist's & Illustrator's Mag. Dec. 17/1 The board..is primed with an egg-oil emulsion which consists of linseed oil, rabbit skin size mixed with equal measures of whiting, and zinc white.
e. An amount yielded by any of various units of volume used in measuring out alcoholic drinks, esp. spirits.Up to 1994 the legal measure for spirits served in licensed establishments was usually one sixth of a gill in England and Wales and one fifth (or one quarter) of a gill in Scotland (approx. 23.7, 28.4, and 35.5 ml respectively). Since January 1995 it has been either 25 ml or 35 ml.
ΚΠ
1862 Loftus's Legal Handbk. for Publicans 10 (heading) Licensed persons to use standard measures in the sale of liquors.]
1914 J. Joyce Dubliners 208 Mr M'Coy, seein that there was not enough to go round, pleaded that he had not finished his first measure.
1964 House & Garden Nov. 106/2 Cuba Libre. Shake one measure of Bacardi rum with the juice of half a lime or lemon.
1993 J. Meades Pompey (1994) 240 Bonny goes to the kitchen to fetch ice for her Fire In Limehouse (mixed according to the book but with treble measures).
8. Magnitude or quantity as ascertained by measuring.
a. Size (of a person or thing) as ascertained or ascertainable by measuring. Now chiefly in to make (something) to measure (usually in passive as made to measure; cf. made-to-measure adj.): to make (something, esp. tailored clothes) in accordance with measurements taken; (in extended use) to make (something) to fulfil specified requirements, or for a particular purpose.to know the measure of a person's foot: see foot n. and int. Phrases 7b.In quot. a1400 the sense is perhaps ‘value’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun]
greatness1381
measurea1382
quantitya1387
muchnessa1398
sizea1400
largec1400
micklec1400
moisonc1400
of suingc1400
bignessc1475
assize1481
proportions1481
bodya1500
dimension1529
measuring1529
wideness1535
bind1551
corporance1570
magnitude1570
mickledom1596
amplitude1599
breadth1609
extendure1613
extension1614
extent1623
extensure1631
dimense1632
dimensity1655
bulkiness1674
bulksomeness1674
admeasurement1754
calliper1819
acreage1846
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > made in specific way > other
windproof1616
buckramed1793
made to measure1851
spring weight1869
princess cut1875
mackintoshy1898
Magyar1911
deboned1922
breathable1933
Trubenized1933
preshrunka1963
unconstructed1973
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Exod. xxvi. 3 Of o mesour schal be made all þe tentis.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 1668 I sal þe tell hou lang, hou brade, O quat mesur it sal be made.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl 224 (MED) A mannez dom moȝt dryȝly demme Er mynde moȝt malte in hit mesure.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 32 A stake of þe same mesur & lenthe.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 58 Hee suffered not..the fourme and measure of his members to be made in metall.
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 163 Therefore the measure of the cubit must be larger.
1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. vii. 129 Their measure they note down upon a piece of paper.
1749 G. G. Beekman Let. 18 Dec. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 96 After you have made them Pray keep my Measure if they fit me I may send for more and send me the Coat and Breeches back again.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 476/2 The suit is more likely to be bought ready-made than ‘made to measure’.
1857 E. L. Birkett Bird's Urinary Deposits (ed. 5) 61 It is much easier to obtain the measure than the weight of urine passed in a given time.
1959 Listener 2 Apr. 608/1 The Boat Race..made to measure for television.
1992 Bicycle Feb. 18/1 Bicycles (including frame dimensions, headstem length and handlebars width) are made to measure.
b. With preceding distinguishing adjective (as full, good, etc.): an ample or generous quantity of what is sold or given by measure. Similarly with poor, etc.: a quantity below what should be sold or given by measure (see also short measure at short adj. 15a). Also figurative, esp. in (to throw in) for good measure: (to include) as an additional extra. See also overmeasure n.‘Full, good measure are also appended to designations of measured quantity, to indicate something in excess of the stated amount’ ( N.E.D., 1906).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > [noun] > a definite or specified quantity or amount
quantitya1325
measurec1384
certainc1386
certainty1431
assignment1519
dosis1543
dose1607
matter1610
quantum1747
volume1812
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke vi. 38 Thei schulen ȝyue in to ȝoure bosum a good mesure [L. mensuram bonam], and wel fillid.
1419 Guildhall Let.-bk. in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 98 (MED) He..haþ sold coles þis same yeer..by ech of þes vij sakkes..for sakkis of viij busshels of ful mesure, wher in trouþe þei conteyne but..vij..at moost.
a1450 ( in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 36 (MED) But þey þe full mesure mete, Hit semeþ in skornyng..Wiþ god of pes whan ȝe trete.
1502 R. Arnold Chron. (1811) 85 To enacte that euery..barell, kilderkyn and firken of ale and bere kepe ther full mesur.
1625 J. Ussher Answer to Jesuite 171 If Montanus comes short in his testimonie, Origen..payes it home with full measure.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 68 What's wanting in his Guns, is made up in his Cups, which are sure to have full Measure.
1844 Living Age 22 June 369/2 For one poor measure of black barley bread, the hired lungs were taxed to the extremity.
1850 Littell's Living Age 25 May 355/2 ‘Give him another for good measure’-‘Hit him again’..were the sounds which greeted his ears.
1887 J. R. Lowell Democracy & Other Addr. 6 His audience would feel defrauded of their honest measure.
1913 J. London Valley of Moon xvii. 479 I wouldn't trade a square mile of this kind of country for the whole Sacramento Valley, with the river islands thrown in and Middle River for good measure.
1920 C. Carswell Open Door! i. i. 12 Juley still slept. She had in full measure the capacity for making up arrears of sleep.
1969 G. Durrell Birds, Beasts & Relatives 215 It would always be like this... The brilliant, friendly island, my family and my animals around me and, for good measure, our friends.
1991 New Republic 23 Dec. 34/2 Some leaders..lacked the full measure of selfless virtue required by republicanism.
†c. to take (the, one's) measures (also measure): to make measurements; to ascertain various dimensions (of a thing or person, esp. for clothes). Cf. sense 12b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > take measurements [verb (intransitive)]
metec1300
measurea1382
to take (the, one's) measures (also measure)c1395
c1395 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 256 Of hir clothyng took he the mesure Of a mayde lyk to hir stature.
?a1425 (?c1350) Northern Passion (Rawl.) 2387 (MED) Þai toke þair mesures þan And kuttes it.
?1435 ( J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 639 (MED) Euclyde toke mesours be craffte off Gemetrye.
1520 R. Gresham Let. 14 Oct. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 234 I have takyn the measures of xviij. Chambres at Hamton Cortte and have made a Boke of them.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 34v Lyke the Taylours boy, who thinketh to take measure before he can handle the sheeres.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. iii. 9 Euen now a'tailor cal'd me in his shop, And show'd me Silkes..And therewithall tooke measure of my body. View more context for this quotation
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 27 Hee that makes Coates for the Moone, had need take measure every noone.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §97 The difficulty I had to get the proper measures taken.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. ii. 15 The man..took my measure, and departed.
1856 G. H. Boker Widow's Marriage iv. i, in Plays & Poems II. 184 Lady G. Why are you waiting, tradesmen?..Second T. To take your measure, madam. Lady G. Ay, for the robe.
d. Fencing. The gap between a fencer and his or her opponent, the extent of which the fencer attempts to control in order to gain an advantage over the opponent; = distance n. 5d. Also in military contexts. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > distance between fencers
measure1594
distance1595
1594 I. G. tr. G. di Grassi True Arte Def. sig. Bb Men consider not either of aduantage, time, or measure, but alwaies their manner is..to strike by the most short waie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) v. iv. 125 Come not within the measure of my wrath. View more context for this quotation
1692 W. Hope Compl. Fencing-master (ed. 2) 95 Break his measure, or make his thrust short of you.
1696 R. Howlett School Recreat. (new ed.) 67 Measure. This is only a distance between you and your Adversary, which must be cautiously and exactly observed when he is Thrusting at you; so that you may be without his measure or reach.
1717 in Notes & Queries (1986) Mar. 18/1 The Measures of the two Nighbours represent the Spears of the Combatants.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iv. 144 As soon as the Attacking File has passed on, and is out of measure, both Files will ‘Slope Swords’.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iv. 146 The opposing Files should also circle ‘Right’ within measure.
1868 T. Griffiths Mod. Fencer 69 The Measure..must be determined by the length of the foil and the height of your opponent.
1952 R. A. Lidstone Fencing iii. 69 (heading) Gaining or stealing the measure.
1997 W. M. Gaugler Sci. of Fencing 114 The three fundamental elements of fencing are time, velocity, and measure... Measure is the distance that must be covered to reach the target with a thrust.
†e. Duration (of time or a musical note). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > [noun]
lengtha1240
date?1316
durationc1384
hautesse1399
quantity?a1425
periodc1475
tracta1513
allowance1526
continuance1530
wideness1535
continue1556
protense1590
countenance1592
stay1595
standing1600
dimension1605
longanimity1607
longinquity1607
insisture1609
existence1615
unprivationa1628
continuity1646
protension1654
measure1658
course1665
contention1666
propagation1741
protensity1886
1658 J. Playford Breif Introd. Skill Musick (new ed.) i. 21 Pauses or Rests are silent Characters, or an Artificial omission of the Voyce, proportioned to the Certain Measure of Time.
1660 J. Playford Brief Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 3) i. 36 Hold..is placed over the Note which the Author intends should be held to a longer Measure then the Note contains.
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Measure of time, is much to be regarded in handling Nativities, that when you have a Direction, you may know how long it will be before it operates.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Measure-Note..the Semibreve..so call'd because it is of a certain determinate Measure, or Length of Time by itself.
f. Typography. The width of a full line of type or print, esp. as measured in picas.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > paper > [noun] > width of printed page
measure1683
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 214 So many Words as will fill up the Measure pretty stiff, viz. Justifie the Line.
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 285 A second Form of the same Volumne, Measure and Whites.
1824 J. Johnson Typographia II. 93 After having made the measure for the work, we set a line of the letter that is designed for it.
1970 R. K. Kent Lang. Journalism 86 Measure, the width of a column or page, usually expressed in picas.
†g. Music. The width of an organ pipe. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > organ > [noun] > width of pipe
measure1852
1852 tr. J. J. Seidel Organ & its Constr. 76 The width of a pipe is called its measure [Ger. Mensur].
h. Mathematics. A non-negative number assigned to a set of points (as in a metric space) as an evaluation of its content and for comparison with that of other sets, analogous to the area of a plane figure or the volume of a solid figure, and generalized to spaces of any dimension in such a way that the number assigned to the union of disjoint sets is equal to the sum of the numbers assigned to each individual set.Lebesgue measure: see Lebesgue n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > point > [noun] > sets or groups of points > evaluation of
measure1905
1905 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 204 243 Let the fundamental set be divided into measurable components in any conceivable way, and let the content of each component be multiplied by the upper (lower) limit of the values of the function at points of that component, and the sum of all such products be formed; then the outer (inner) measure of the integral is defined to be the lower (upper) limit of all such summations.
1908 Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 9 237 Lebesgue's theory of integration is based on the notion of the measure of a set of points, a notion introduced by Borel and subsequently refined by Lebesgue himself.
1929 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 117/2 If we are given two intervals which have no point in common, it is not natural to speak of the length of the set of points which they represent... In this case we shall use the word ‘measure’.
1954 L. J. Savage Found. Statistics iii. 33 A probability measure on a set S is a function P(B) attaching to each B⊂S a real number such that: 1. P(B) > 0 for every B. 2. If B∩C = 0, P(B∪C) = P(B) + P(C). 3. P(S) = 1.
1968 E. T. Copson Metric Spaces ix. 141 We do not distinguish between two equivalent functions, two functions which differ only on a set of zero measure.
1976 Sci. Amer. July 92/2 Similarly, a two-dimensional measure is a function that assigns to each set a number called its area.
1985 Ann. Probability 13 1051 Let μ1, μ2 be finitely additive measures on (D, ) where  is a field on D. Then μ1 is said to be absolutely continuous wrt μ2 if [etc.].
9.
a. The action or process of measuring; measurement. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > [noun]
i-metOE
metingc1350
measurea1382
measuringa1398
commensuration1555
dimension1555
mensuration?a1560
measurement1590
dimensuration1593
admeasurement1610
admensuration1670
evaluation1780
quantification1851
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xli. 49 Þe plentiþ of whete was so mych þat..þe plentiþ passide mesure.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) 5026 So litel while it doth endure, That ther nys compte ne mesure.
c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 30 In this [sc. the seventh] commaundment es for-boden als fals wynnynge, be it..thefte..vsur or fals mesure.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 442/1 I awme, I gesse by juste measure to hytte or touche a thyng.
1557 R. Record Whetstone of Witte Pref. sig. biiv Measure is but the nombryng of the partes of lengthe, bredthe, or depthe.
1607 J. Norden Surueyors Dialogue iii. 150 Doe you imagine that the truest measure is by triangles?
1650 J. Wyberd Tactometria 3 Every continuall or continued Quantity falling under Measure (in practicall Geometry) is referred..to the discrete.
1774 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 64 167 The formula, for the measure of heights, may also be changed.
1875 Encycl. Brit. II. 380/2 The Measure of the Circle (κύκλου μέτρησις).
1898 Shetland News 13 Aug. 7/3 Wid Donal Ertirson sleep soond if he saw ane takkin' a skjöpfu' o' herrin', lat alaene a hauf o' kishie oot afore da misser.
1997 C. Ozick Puttermesser Papers (1998) 234 Where there is no time, there is no endurance. Without the measure of clocks, what is lastingness?
†b. by measure: as determined by measuring (as opposed to weighing or counting). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > as determined by measuring [phrase]
by measurea1398
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 218 Whan it [sc. cinnamon] is ygadered, þe prest by mesure deleþ þe spray and takeþ a party, and merchauntes biggeþ þat oþer deel.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Eiiijv It is solde there by measure, as wheat is with vs, & not by weight.
1620 J. Taylor Praise of Hemp-seed 16 Goods in and out, which dayly ships doe fraight, By guesse, by tale, by measure and by waight.
1715 London Gaz. No. 5309/4 The Page Galley,..burthen about 301 Tons by Measure.
1794 G. Gilpin (title) Tables for reducing the quantities by weight, in any mixture of pure spirit and water, to those by measure; and for determining the proportion, by measure, of each of the two substances in such mixtures.
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 394 In Scotland, grain used to be sold by measure alone.
1844 G. Fownes Man. Elem. Chem. 112 Composition of the Atmosphere. Nitrogen. By weight 77 parts. By measure 79·19.
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 401/2 The general average yields of the corn crops are not fairly comparable one with the other, because they are given by measure and not by weight, whereas the weight per bushel varies considerably.
10. A method of measuring; esp. a system of standard units of length, area, or volume.Chiefly with distinguishing word denoting the class or kind of system, the substances to which it is applied, or the locality in which it originated or is used, as for example linear measure, cubic measure; liquid measure, ale measure, corn measure; Irish measure, London measure. For other such compounds see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > [noun] > a system or standard of measuring
meta1325
measure1423
metrology1801
measurement1838
absolute unit1857
1423 Rolls of Parl. IV. 256/2 That no man..bryng into the Roialme..Tonne of Wyn but it conteigne of mesure of Englond [sc. 252] galons.
1439 Rolls of Parl. V. 30/2 They woll make therof xxii or lasse, seyinge that it is the mesure of London.
1455 in J. T. Gilbert Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 288 Al maner of women that syllyn ale..syll aftyr the Kyngs ale mesure.
a1525 Coventry Leet Bk. 133 Ther shuld be but one Weyght & one mesure thorout this Realme.
1670 J. Smith England's Improvem. Reviv'd 25 The content of the whole fence by the said Wood measure is 1466 Perch 12 foot.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland in Tracts (1769) 299 A perch or pole Irish measure, is 21 foot.
1709 J. Ward Young Mathematician's Guide (1734) i. iii. 34 That there should be but one Measure for Wine, Ale and Corn, throughout this Realm.
1709 J. Ward Young Mathematician's Guide (1734) i. iii. 36 Dry Measure is different both from Wine and Ale Measure.
1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. ii. iii. 620 In lime measure, what is called a hundred is 100 pecks, or 25 striked bushels (old measure).
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 200/2 Apothecaries' fluid measure.
1870 Athenæum 8 Oct. 470/1 Some years ago the corn trade of Liverpool became convinced that a great improvement would be effected by the adoption of one common measure.
1898 Engin. Mag. 16 95 The completed raft contains 450,000 lineal feet of timber, or in the neighborhood of 3,000,000 feet, board-measure.
1939 ‘F. O'Brien’ At Swim-Two-Birds 27 I gave a shilling and two pennies to a civil man who brought us in return two glasses of black porter, imperial pint measure.
1967 Appraisal Terminol. & Handbk. (Amer. Inst. Real Estate Appraisers) (ed. 5) 55 Front foot, a land measure being one foot in width along the frontage of a property.
1990 P. Moore Astron. for GCSE ii. 3/1 In imperial measure there used to be a very convenient scale model. The earth's distance from the Sun..is known as the astronomical unit.
11. Mathematics. A factor, divisor. Chiefly in common measure (see common measure n. 1). Cf. measure v. 6. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > [noun] > division > divisor or dividend > without remainder
partc1300
quotea1464
divisor1557
aliquot part1570
greatest common measure1570
measure1570
multiplex1570
aliquot1610
multiple1685
submultiple1702
least common multiple1714
bipartient1819
least squares1847
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. *ij In pure Arithmetike, an Vnit, is the common Measure of all Numbers.
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. x. f. 234v It is required of these three magnitudes to finde out the greatest common measure.
1656 T. Hobbes Six Lessons i. 3 in Elements Philos. One Quantity is the Measure of another Quantity, when it, or the Multiple of it, is Coincident in all points, with the other Quantity.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) 9 is a Measure of 27.
1806 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 5) I. 190 To find the Greatest Common Measure of the Terms of a Fraction.
1858 I. Todhunter Algebra for Schools vi. §106 The term greatest common measure is not very appropriate in Algebra... It would be better to speak of the highest common divisor or of the highest common measure.
1972 M. Kline Math. Thought iv. 79 The process of finding the greatest common measure (divisor) of two numbers..is referred to today as the Euclidean algorithm.
12. figurative.
†a. An estimate, opinion, or notion. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > [noun]
weenc888
doomc900
advicec1300
wonec1300
opiniona1325
sentence1340
sight1362
estimationc1374
witc1374
assent1377
judgementa1393
supposinga1393
mindc1400
reputationc1400
feelingc1425
suffrage1531
counta1535
existimation1535
consent1599
vote1606
deem1609
repute1610
judicaturea1631
estimate1637
measure1650
sentiment1675
account1703
sensation1795
think1835
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule of Holy Living (1686) ii. §7. 118 He onely lived according to Nature, the other by pride and ill customs, and measures taken by other mens eyes and tongues.
1665 J. Glanvill Scepsis Scientifica Addr. Royal Soc. sig. A3v I can expect no other from those, that judge by first sights and rash measures, then to be thought fond or insolent.
1670 in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 487 He has given the King of France the character of all our Court..as he himself thinks of them; so that he has..given as wrong measures here as he has given you.
a1678 H. Scougal Life of God (1735) 79 All who are enemies to holiness have taken up false measures and disadvantageous notions of it.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 20 Be pleased to receive the Measures of this Companies judging therein.
b. †to take measure(s), †to take a fair (also wrong, etc.) measure of: to form a fair (wrong, etc.) opinion or opinions (of) (obsolete). to take (also get) the measure of (formerly †to take measure of): to form an estimate of; to weigh or gauge the abilities or character of, or assess what to expect from (a person, frequently an opponent).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measure [verb (transitive)]
bemetec893
meteOE
mensurec1429
gaugec1440
measure1456
to take a scantling of1585
fathom1611
admetiate1623
quantify1627
span1641
to take (also get) the measure of1650
mensurate1653
to take the gauge of1780
spoil1794
quantitate1900
pace1955
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > form or hold an opinion [verb]
ween971
trowc1000
to be of (the) opinion (that)c1425
to be of (rarely in) mind1567
to take measure(s)1650
to take a fair (also wrong, etc.) measure ofa1797
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > take the measure of
measure?a1425
gauge1583
to sum up1631
measure1684
to touch off1766
to take (also get) the measure of1790
to get (also take, etc.) a person's number1853
reckon1853
to put up1864
size1884
to weigh up1894
to read the room1975
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion [verb (transitive)] > form an opinion > of quality, character, etc.
resolve1613
to sum up1631
to take (also get) the measure of1790
size1884
to weigh up1894
size1896
1650 [see sense 12a].
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 458 I know nothing of it, and therefore must take measure by what is before me.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 245 They thought it more sutable to take their Measures, and make their Conclusions consonant to the course of Nature.
1713 C. Shadwell Humours of Army iii. 39 I have taken care to get the Measure of your empty Head.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 29 If we take the measure of our rights by our exercise of them at the Revolution. View more context for this quotation
a1797 E. Burke Thoughts on Scarcity (1800) 32 We cannot assure ourselves, if we take a wrong measure, from the temporary necessities of one season.
1852 G. Grote Hist. Greece IX. ii. lxix. 34 To look at the actualities of the present and take measure of what is best to be done for the future.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 81 I have encountered a good many of these gentlemen in actual service, and have taken their measure.
1893 Nation (N.Y.) 5 Jan. 4/1 The people have taken the measure of this whole labor movement.
1957 ‘R. Gordon’ Doctor in Love xiv. 128 Either approach would not only make me look foolish but—as I hadn't taken the measure of the Commander yet—might land me in the Thames.
1992 B. Keenan Evil Cradling x. 123 I had to take the measure of this new situation and respond accordingly.
13. [Perhaps concr. of sense 7.] A stratum or bed of mineral. Now only in plural.coal measures: see coal measure n. 2 (cf. culm n.1 3).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > stratum or bed
delf1601
measure1665
bonny1671
streak1672
1665 D. Dudley Mettallum Martis sig. D4v The names, and partly the nature of every measure, parting of each cole..the three uppermost measures are called the white measures..the next measure, is the shoulder-cole, the toe-cole, the foot-cole, the yard-cole.
1686 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Staffs. iv. 158 The other Iron Ores..which lye in some places but thin, others thicker, and as the coal is, divided into measures of different denominations.
1795 J. Aikin Descr. Country round Manch. 523 The measures or strata, by which the beds of coal are divided.
1837 A. Sedgwick & R. I. Murchison in Trans. Geol. Soc. 5 670 The undoubted culm-measures.
1867 W. W. Smyth Treat. Coal & Coal-mining 58 Pottery coals and ironstone measures..with 8 to 13 seams of coal of above two feet thick..and 10 to 12 measures of ironstone.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) I. xviii. 467 In the time of the Coal Measures (Carboniferous) they [sc. amphibians] came to their own.
1971 Soviet Weekly 21 Aug. 3/5 More than four million tons of iron ore were carved out of the Krivoi Rog measures in the Ukraine by a single explosion last week.
III. Metrical or rhythmical sound or movement.
14. An air, tune, or melody; a horn-call. Now poetic or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > melody or succession of sounds > [noun] > a melody
notec1300
warblec1374
moteta1382
tunea1387
measurea1393
modulationa1398
prolation?a1425
gammec1425
proportion?a1505
laya1529
stroke1540
diapason?1553
strain1579
cantus1590
stripe1590
diapase1591
air1597
pawson1606
spirit1608
melody1609
aria1742
refrain1795
toon1901
sounds1955
klangfarbenmelodie1959
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. 768 Bot if ye the mesure pleide Which..I schal you liere.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 375 He began good mesures of blowynge of beestes of venery.
a1475 Friar & Boy (Brogyntyn) in J. O. Halliwell Early Eng. Misc. (1855) 50 (MED) A pype..thou schalt have..Trewe of mesore schall it goo.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xx. sig. Kviv More ouer the emperours that were moste noble, delited in daunsyng, perceyuing therin to be a perfecte measure, whiche maye be called modulation.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. i. 230 Shall braying trumpets, and loud churlish drums..be measures to our pomp. View more context for this quotation
1774 J. Bryant New Syst. (new ed.) I. 445 A great musician, and particularly expert in all pastoral measure.
1842 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zanoni 22 He would pour forth..strange wild measures, on his violin.
1864 W. C. Bryant Sella in Thirty Poems 138 They called for quaint old measures.
1938 T. H. White Sword in Stone i. 8 Saturdays, the theory of chivalry, with the proper measures to be blown on all occasions, terminology of the chase and hunting etiquette.
15.
a. A dance, esp. a grave or stately one; often in to tread a measure. Formerly also: †a step of a dance (obsolete). Now archaic and historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > [noun] > a dance
chore1382
dance1393
measure?c1430
virlyc1430
tracec1450
platfoot1559
hop-about1593
firk1637
footing1652
ballet1786
stand-up1861
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > slow or stately dance > [noun]
measure?c1430
base dancea1475
pas grave1762
basse danse1789
slow dance1890
slowie2002
?c1430 J. Lydgate Daunce Machabree (Huntington) 508 This new daunce is to me so straunge..The dredful fotyng dothe so ofte chaunge, And the mesures so ofte sithes varie.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xvi. xix To daunce true mesures without varyaunce.
1584 J. Lyly Alexander, Campaspe, & Diogenes iv. iii. sig. E2v To tread the measures in a daunce.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. K3 Where fair Semiramis..Hath trode the Meisures.
a1616 [see sense 16a].
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 170 All Heaven..in Celestial measures mov'd, Circling the Throne and Singing. View more context for this quotation
1808 W. Scott Marmion v. xii. 159 Now tread we a measure! said young Lochinvar.
a1839 W. M. Praed Poems (1864) II. 44 And dancers leave the cheerful measure To seek the Lady's missing treasure.
1888 W. E. Henley Bk. Verses 28 Kate the scrubber..treads a measure.
1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles I. iii. 27 She..participated with a certain zest in the dancing..treading a measure purely for its own sake.
1922 A. E. Housman Last Poems xli Content..to wind the measures.
1994 Early Music 22 433/2 The measures were a late 16th-century derivation of the French basse danse.
†b. to lead (a person) the measures: to compel to participate in an unwanted course of action; = to lead (a person) a dance at lead v.1 7. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > of difficulty: beset (a person) [verb (transitive)] > put (a person) in difficulty > make (one) go through a difficult action
to lead (a person) a dancea1545
to lead (a person) the measures1594
the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict > affect or visit with adversity
followOE
waryc1200
hita1400
remord?c1400
visit1424
to lead (a person) the measures1594
conflict1609
to lead a person a life1715
overhit1816
put1841
to put (a person) through it1855
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > traverse in winding course > lead person in perplexing course
to lead, rarely give (a person) a dancea1545
to lead (a person) the measures1594
to lead (a person) a dance1861
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. K4v Hee stript her, and scourged her from top to toe tantara. Day by day he disgested his meate with leading her the measures.
16.
a. Rhythm in poetry as defined by syllabic quantity or stress; a kind of poetical rhythm; a metrical group or unit, such as a dactyl or two iambuses, trochees, spondees, etc. (cf. metre n.1 3). Also: a metrical foot.long measure (in hymns): see long measure n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > metre > [noun]
rhymec1175
metrec1390
measurec1450
rhythm1656
mete1768
metric1883
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > metre > [noun] > variety of
metreOE
measurec1450
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > metre > [noun] > metrical group or period
measure1706
period1837
metre1838
metron1948
c1450 Contin. Lydgate's Secrees (Sloane 2464) 1530 Or of metrys the feet to make equal, be tyme and proporcion kepying my mesurys.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. iii. 55 Meeter and measure is all one, for what the Greekes called μετρον, the Latines call Mensura, and is but the quantitie of a verse, either long or short.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) v. ii. 134 For the one [sc. verses] I haue neither words nor measure; and for the other [sc. dance], I haue no strength in measure, yet a reasonable measure in strength. View more context for this quotation
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 198 It is an Iambic Verse; and it was a good while after the invention of Comedy and Tragedy, before that Measure was used in them.
1706 A. Bedford Temple Musick vi. 115 The..Verse consisted of Two Measures, and each of them of Ten Syllables.
1774 R. Henry Hist. Great Brit. II. 432 The kinds and measures of their [sc. Saxon and Danish poets'] verses.
1779 S. Johnson Cowley in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets I. 119 To the disproportion and incongruity of Cowley's sentiments must be added the uncertainty and looseness of his measures.
1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry IV. p. lviii In the same kind of measure [as Caedmon's hymn] are almost all the popular rhymes which still continue to be repeated by children in their ring-dances.
1820 W. Hazlitt Lect. Dramatic Lit. 73 It is beautiful prose put into heroic measure.
1869 A. J. Ellis On Early Eng. Pronunc. I. iv. §4. 333 Chaucer's verse seems to consist generally of five measures.
1877 H. Rehrmann Ess. Anglo-Saxon Poetry 10 A foot or measure is made up..of one accented syllable and its connected unaccented syllable, or syllables.
1933 W. Lewis Song of Militant Romance in One-way Song 22 I know with my bold Fourteener I have the measure that suits us best.
1942 J. C. Pope Rhythm of Beowulf 44 According to Heusler, alliteration must introduce the first measure in the second half-line.
1973 Word 1970 26 60 Groups or ‘measures’ or ‘bars’ of two or three syllables are more frequent in English prose than longer or shorter ones.
b. Arabic Prosody and Arabic Grammar. (Poetic) metre. Also (occasionally): the morphological form or pattern of a word.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > metre > [noun] > metre in Arabic poetry
measure1836
1836 E. W. Lane Acct. Manners & Customs Mod. Egyptians I. ii. 58 It is the fashion to change the first five female names here mentioned [sc. Khadee′geh, 'A′isheh, etc.]..into Khuddoo′geh, 'Eiyoo′sheh..; and some other names are changed to the same measure as these; which measure implies, in these cases, a superior degree of dignity.
1898 W. Wright tr. C. P. Caspari Gram. Arab. Lang. (1977) II. iv. i. 351 Rhyme without metric or measure [wazn] does not constitute poetry, but merely rhymed prose.
1989 Jrnl. Arab. Linguistics 20 12 Sāra must have a medial y because of the verbal noun sāyr and the second measure sayyara.
17. Music.
†a. The relation between the time values of a note of one denomination and a note of the next, determining the kind of rhythm (duple, triple, etc.) of a piece of music; the time of a piece of music. Cf. mode n. 1b, metre n.1 6. Obsolete.See also common measure n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [noun]
proportiona1387
measurea1525
mode1561
casure1565
moodc1570
rhythm1576
rhyme1586
stotc1590
dimension1597
sextupla1597
timing1597
rhythmus1603
cadence1605
time1609
cadency1628
movement1683
lilt1841
metre1873
tempus1889
riddim1943
a1525 Bk. Chess l. 1678 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 136 Sen ye wanis pvnsing of ye man Is lyk in armony him [sc. the doctor] nedis yan The richt mesur of musik for to haf.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 29 Singand melodius reportis of natural music in accordis of mesure of diapason prolations.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke Annot. sig. *4 This [sc. triple time] is the common hackney horse of all the Composers, which is of so manie kindes as there be maners of pricking,..and yet all one measure.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) v. i. 34 The triplex sir, is a good tripping measure . View more context for this quotation
1658 J. Playford Breif Introd. Skill Musick (new ed.) i. 19 Measure..is a Quantity of the length and shortness of Time, either by Natural Sounds pronounced by the Voyce, or by Artificial upon Instruments; which Measure is by a certain Motion of the Hand expressed in a varietie of Notes.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Time The Mode or Measure of two Times, or the Dupla Measure.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XII. 533/1 There are properly two kinds of measures or modes of time: the measure of two times, or of common time..and the measure of three times, or of triple time.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 207/1 It admits but one measure, the duple.
1901 H. E. Wooldridge Oxf. Hist. Music I. 102 A special name, Cantus mensurabilis, was indeed often adopted by many authors, to describe the music in which measure was present throughout.
†b. A scheme or system specifying the disposition in a scale of the constituent notes of a melody or harmony; spec. each of the authentic ecclesiastical modes used for the classification and composition of plainchant. Cf. mode n. 1a. Obsolete (historical in later use).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > system of sounds or intervals > [noun] > ancient Greek modes
modec1400
mood1597
measure1625
1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated ii. xiv. 247 The Northerne mans humour consortes best with the Phrygian measure, a loud and stirring harmonie.
1697 J. Dryden Alexander's Feast v. 5 Softly sweet, in Lydian Measures, Soon He sooth'd his Soul to Pleasures.
1776 C. Burney Gen. Hist. Music I. 60 The Lydian measure was appropriated to..songs of sorrow.
1854 Littell's Living Age 7 Oct. 1/2 Through the orchestra with slow advance The Dorian measure led the choral dance.
1890 Atlantic Monthly Sept. 401/2 Cassiodorus..indulges in a rather trite disquisition on the peculiarities of Dorian, Phrygian, Ionian, Ætolian, and Lydian measures.
c. Each portion of a musical composition comprising a group of notes beginning with a main accent, and commonly included between two vertical lines or bars; spec. (chiefly North American) a bar of music (bar n.1 16).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > [noun] > division into bars > bar
moisonc1380
measure1656
bar1658
1656 M. Locke Little Consort of 3 Pts. (verso title page) You will find the care in printing of Tyes, Holds, Slurrs, and barring the Measures a great advantage.
1667 C. Simpson Compend. Pract. Musick i. 30 The Mood..called Perfect of the Less, in which three Semibreves went to a Measure.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Accent Every Bar or Measure is divided into accented and unaccented Parts.
1878 F. Taylor in G. Grove Dict. Music I. 136 The word bar is also commonly, though incorrectly, applied to the portion contained between any two such vertical lines, such portion being termed a ‘measure’.
1974 L. Ellfeldt This is Ballroom Dance iv. 29 If the dancer has been making a quarter-turn on each three counts, it will take four measures, or twelve beats, to make a complete revolution.
1989 Opera Now Aug. 43/3 He tries..not to sing it, merely to imagine it while the orchestra plays the two measures.
18. Rhythm; rhythmical motion, esp. as regulated by music; the rhythm of a movement or piece of music. to keep measure: to observe strict time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [noun] > rhythm or measure
cadencec1384
modulation1531
measure1576
timekeeping1593
cadency1628
rhythmus1778
rhythmicality1817
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [noun] > regular
modulation1531
measure1576
timekeeping1593
1576 A. Fleming tr. J. Caius Of Eng. Dogges 35 Dogges..which are taught..to daunce in measure at the musicall sounde of an instrument.
1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 104 All this is performed in measure [Gk. ἐν ῥυθμῷ] to the Flute.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. i. 50 He first taught Souldiers to march by the sound of Fifes and Harpes, observing a kinde of measure in their pace.
1694 J. Addison St. Cecilia's Day in Ann. Misc. 136 The Bears in awkward measures leap.
a1704 T. Brown Beauties to Armida in Wks. (1707) I. i. 65 May she in measure like Clarinda move.
1704 M. Prior To Mrs. Singer 14 If Amaryllis breathes thy secret pains, And thy fond heart beats measure to thy strains.
1800–24 T. Campbell Pilgrim Glencoe 8 Whose crews..Keep measure with their oars.
1864 D. G. Mitchell Seven Stories 253 He would beat the measure of a light polka on his pallet.
1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Prop. viii. 216 To the slow, swinging measure they danced by, and it seemed to him that they clung to each other.
1921 L. Strachey Queen Victoria iii. 85 His feet mechanically performed upon the carpet a dancing-master's measure.
1960 D. Levertov in Poetry Apr. 2 Two flutes: How close To each other they move In mazing figures, Never touching, never Breaking the measure.
IV. A plan, a course of action.
19. A plan or course of action intended to attain some object; a suitable action.
a. In plural. Esp. in to take (also adopt, †follow, pursue) measures [after French prendre des mesures (1640)] : to take actions or steps in order to achieve some purpose. †to break a person's measures [compare French rompre (ses) mesures (1655)] : to frustrate a person's plans (obsolete). †in the measures of: privy to the plans of (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > [noun] > an act or deed > an action leading to a result
step1549
pacea1628
to take measures1698
measure1767
the mind > will > intention > planning > [noun] > a plan
redeeOE
devicec1290
casta1300
went1303
ordinancec1385
intentc1386
imaginationa1393
drifta1535
draught1535
forecast1535
platform1547
ground-plat?a1560
table1560
convoy1565
design1565
plat1574
ground-plota1586
plot1587
reach1587
theory1593
game1595
projectment1611
projecting1616
navation1628
approach1633
view1634
plan1635
systema1648
sophism1657
manage1667
brouillon1678
speculationa1684
sketch1697
to take measures1698
method1704
scheme1704
lines1760
outline1760
measure1767
restorative1821
ground plan1834
strategy1834
programme1837
ticket1842
project1849
outline plan1850
layout1867
draft1879
dart1882
lurk1916
schema1939
lick1955
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 51 By the Measures they follow, this also in time must fall into their hands.
1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 185 We agreed there in an instant to take our measures about it.
1704 J. Trapp Abra-Mule i. i. 323 On purpose to defeat My close Contrivances, and break my Measures.
?1710 Squire Bickerstaff Detected 8 [He] has paid his Visits to St. Germains, and is now in the Measures of Lewis the XIV.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1734) II. 360 He pursued the Measures, which he had begun to take, of raising new Divisions in that Kingdom.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 356 My Measures being fix'd..for Arch-Angel, and not to Muscovy.
1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxix. 151 He took measures for kindling a war with England.
1767 T. Hutchinson Hist. Colony Mass.-Bay iii. 297 This rupture with the Indians broke his measures.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. v. 476 Pondicherry was the object of importance; and it was resolved to lose no time in taking measures for its reduction.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe I. xvi. 313 The besiegers..would endeavour..to draw the chief part of the defenders' observations to this point, and take measures to avail themselves of every negligence which might take place in the defence elsewhere.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §4. 494 The measures of Laud soon revived the panic of the Puritans.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 604 To assist the external measures by internal medication.
1940 A. Koestler Darkness at Noon i. vii. 23 The usual disciplinary measures will have to be applied to you.
1967 R. K. Narayan Sweet-vendor vii. 100 We are only trying some new measures to meet the competition.
1987 P. Lomas Limits of Interpretation viii. 91 Defensive measures are taken to..ward off further intrusions from the external world.
b. In singular.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > [noun] > an act or deed > an action leading to a result
step1549
pacea1628
to take measures1698
measure1767
the mind > will > intention > planning > [noun] > a plan
redeeOE
devicec1290
casta1300
went1303
ordinancec1385
intentc1386
imaginationa1393
drifta1535
draught1535
forecast1535
platform1547
ground-plat?a1560
table1560
convoy1565
design1565
plat1574
ground-plota1586
plot1587
reach1587
theory1593
game1595
projectment1611
projecting1616
navation1628
approach1633
view1634
plan1635
systema1648
sophism1657
manage1667
brouillon1678
speculationa1684
sketch1697
to take measures1698
method1704
scheme1704
lines1760
outline1760
measure1767
restorative1821
ground plan1834
strategy1834
programme1837
ticket1842
project1849
outline plan1850
layout1867
draft1879
dart1882
lurk1916
schema1939
lick1955
1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. 36 Every just argument that can be urged for or against any measure.
1833 H. Martineau Charmed Sea i. 7 Before..any measure of prevention..could be taken.
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain I. i. 1 This measure by no means took me by surprise.
1937 A. J. Cronin Citadel ii. v. 141 He thanked her for her splendid emergency treatment and asked her, as a measure against possible sepsis, if she would mind continuing with the picric dressings.
1971 H. Macmillan Riding Storm xi. 357 The increase in Bank Rate as a short-term measure designed to deal with speculative movements.
1988 Touchdown Nov. 5/1 Don Strock, brought in as an emergency measure, is left holding the fort until someone gets fit.
20.
a. A legislative enactment proposed or adopted. In early use usually in plural, frequently contrasted with men in various phrases (after quot. 17421).
ΘΚΠ
society > law > [noun] > a legislative enactment
act1422
enact1467
establishment1481
enaction1631
advice1654
measure1742
enactment1821
1742 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 6 Mar. (1932) (modernized text) II. 490 I have opposed measures not men.
1742 Hist. & Proc. House of Lords VII. 459 The noble Lord's Motion, in favour of which I have been arguing, has nothing in it relating to any past Measure: It may be agreed to by those who condemn, as well as by those who approve of our late Measures.
1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. i, in Wks. (1851) I. 64 In none of our historians do we find an instance of any opposition formed against the court in parliament, or mention of any difficulty in carrying through the measures which were agreeable to the king.
1792 J. Almon Life Anecd. W. Pitt (1797) I. x. 224 Some disliked the measures, others disliked the men.
1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. II. 57 The great measure of this parliament was that respecting religious doctrines.
1869 A. Trollope Phineas Finn I. ii. 13 When he was told of any man, that that man intended to look to measures and not to men, he regarded that man as being both unstable as water and dishonest as the wind.
1879 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times II. xviii. 27 This measure was passed rapidly through all its stages.
1908 E. F. Benson Climber 143 Edgar shall bring in a Bill for the extinction of the bored in the House of Lords. It won't be a party measure.
1945 W. S. Churchill Victory (1946) 111 Giving an objective and simple account of the various measures, such as the National Insurance Bill, now before the House.
1976 Daily Tel. 20 July 1/6 Another curtails debate on the Bill to phase out pay beds from the National Health Service as well as laying down a timetable for the measure to extend the controversial Dock Labour Scheme.
1998 N.Y. Times 20 Sept. i. 4/1 Last week, two of Mr. Sharif's pet measures ran into unruly opposition in Parliament.
b. A bill passed by the General Synod (formerly the Assembly) of the Church of England.
ΚΠ
1922 Encycl. Brit. XXX. 673/2 The..Assembly, which met for the first time on June 30 1920, was empowered to legislate by means of bills (technically called Measures) which after being passed by it are to be sent to an ecclesiastical committee.
1971 S. A. de Smith Constit. & Admin. Law xv. 342 Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England... Made in pursuance of the Synodical Government Measure 1969; these measures are submitted for the royal assent if approved by both Houses of Parliament.
1983 K. M. MacMorran & K. J. T. Elphinstone Handbk. for Churchwardens & Parochial Church Councillors ii. 8 Power was conferred on the Assembly to propose and pass new laws called ‘Measures’.

Compounds

† measure-filling adj. Obsolete rare filling up the measure (of sin); cf. sense 1d.
ΚΠ
1713 M. Henry Ordinat. Serm. in Wks. (1857) II. 510/2 Jerusalem's measure-filling sin.
† measure-glass n. Obsolete a graduated glass for measuring medicines, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring volume > measuring vessels > graduated measuring vessel
burette1836
measuring glass1842
measure-glass1879
graduate1883
Knudsen burette1959
1879 Pharmaceut. Jrnl. 22 Nov. 415/1 Each graduation must be distinctly marked on each measure glass.
1890 J. Cagney tr. R. von Jaksch Clin. Diagnosis vii. 254 Ten or 20 cc...each of solutions i. and ii. are mixed together in a measure-glass.
1902 J. Eliot Instructions Observers Indian Meteorol. Dept. (ed. 2) 78 The measure-glass usually supplied to rain-gauge stations by the Meteorological Department holds only half an inch.
† measure-keeping n. Obsolete rare moderation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > [noun]
i-metOE
hovec1175
metc1175
methec1175
measurec1225
measure?c1225
temperancea1340
methefulnessc1350
temperurec1380
mannera1382
mannernessa1382
sobernessc1384
attemperancec1386
measurablenessa1400
amesingc1400
meanheada1425
mediocrity?a1425
moderation?a1425
moderancea1460
temperancy1526
mean1531
modesty1531
temperature1536
measure-keeping1556
moderateness1571
moderature1574
sobriety1582
mediety1583
moderacy1601
temperateness1609
reserve1660
medium1693
soft pedal1899
met1932
1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Duties iii. f. 155v Seemelinesse, measurekeping [L. moderatio], sobermode, stayednesse.
† measure line n. Obsolete rare a measuring line.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring length > measuring line
measure line1535
meteline1535
measuring line1611
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. ii. 1 A man with a measure lyne [L. funiculus mensorum] in his honde.
† measure-moth n. North American Obsolete rare a geometrid moth; cf. measuring worm n.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Measure-moth, a geometrid or looper.
† measure note n. Music Obsolete (a) a semibreve; (b) the length of note indicated by the lower figure in the time signature of a piece.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > [noun] > semi-breve
semibreve1591
master note1636
measure note1636
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > [noun] > specifically by time signature
alla breve1731
measure note1809
alla capella1859
1636 C. Butler Princ. Musik i. ii. §iv. 24 Dhe Sembrief is dhe Mesure-note.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Measure-Note..the Semibreve..so call'd because it is of a certain determinate Measure, or Length of Time by itself.
1809 J. W. Callcott Musical Gram. (ed. 2) 36 Compound Triple Time is formed by dividing the Measures of simple Triple into nine parts, and by dotting the Measure Note of the original Time.
† measure pot n. Obsolete rare a pot used for measuring out liquids.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring volume > measuring vessels > pot for measuring liquids
measure pot1562
mether1562
1562 R. West in C. Welch Hist. Company Pewterers (1903) 1 A ffalse maker of measure pottes.
measure-strip n. now historical and rare a strip of paper used by tailors in taking measurements.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring length > graduated strip of wood, etc.
rule1340
ruler1530
measure1555
scale1607
foot-rule1662
two-foot rule1664
joint-rule1680
inch-rule1850
inch-measure1851
stationer's rule1866
contraction-rule1874
measure-strip1887
1887 J. O. Halliwell Outl. Life Shakespeare II. 382 Some deeds had been given to a tailor for conversion into measure-strips.
2014 T. E. Mathiassen et al. Fashionable Encounters iv. 59 Until the middleof the 1870s, drafting methods developed solely for women were consistently based on the notched measure strip.
measure theory n. Mathematics a branch of mathematics concerned with the determination of the content of geometric figures and point sets; see sense 8h.
ΚΠ
1908 Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 9 243 Theorems 1 and 2 seem to me to advance considerably the theory of measure and of non-measurable point sets.]
1932 Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 34 385 We shall only require that the different parts exclude each other in the sense of measure theory.
1991 New Scientist 13 Apr. 32/1 Measure theory is important for a variety of reasons: in particular, it is the foundation for probability theory.
† measure time n. Obsolete rare the slow time of a measure (sense 15a).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > tempo > [noun] > specific tempo
quadruplaa1450
measure time1626
quick time1712
tempo giusto1724
tempo rubato1724
tittuping1780
rubato1855
double time1877
strict tempo1936
half-time1938
tranquillo1980
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §113 As when Galliard Time, and Measure Time, are in the Medley of one Dance.
† measure-work n. Obsolete rare piecework (cf. measured work n. at measured adj. Compounds).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > work > [noun] > piecework
task-work1486
piecework1549
setwork1720
job work1780
measured work1834
measure-work1852
great work1855
piece labour1859
1852 C. W. Hoskyns Talpa 25 Furrows are avoided as a nuisance and a loss, except as a mark for measure-work.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2001; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

measurev.

Brit. /ˈmɛʒə/, U.S. /ˈmɛʒər/
Forms: see measure n.; also Middle English miser, 1600s measred (past participle, probably transmission error); Scottish pre-1700 measower, pre-1700 measre, pre-1700 meassur, pre-1700 meassure, pre-1700 mesurr.
Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French mesurer.
Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French mesurer to find the measure of something (c1100 in Old French), behave with moderation (c1180 in Old French), evaluate (c1220 in Old French), distribute (c1225 in Old French), play music according to measure (1377), make proportional with something else (1597), look a person up and down (1630), compare oneself with another person (1636), govern wisely (one's words, actions; 1611) < post-classical Latin mensurare to measure, estimate (Vetus Latina) < classical Latin mēnsūra measure n.With sense 2g, compare French mesurer les épées , mesurer son épée avec (1640). In sense 5 after uses of classical Latin mētīrī, ēmētīrī; compare Middle French mesurer in this sense (mid 13th cent. in Old French).
I. Senses relating to the determination of magnitude or quantity.
1. To apportion or distribute in particular quantities.
a. transitive. To apportion by measure; to mete or deal out in a specific or regulated quantity. Frequently used of immaterial things (as mercy, punishment, etc.). Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)] > count or measure out
meteOE
measurea1325
markc1330
admeasure1469
tale1631
dimensea1641
to count out1865
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) vii. 37 Ne sal þe eir be forclosed, wan he comez to age, for te mesuren þe dowere, after þat te lawe of þe londe his for te mesuren.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Ruth iii. 15 He mesurede sixe busschelis of barli & putte vp on hir.
c1390 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale 776 Thilke lordes..shul receyuen by the same mesure that they han mesured to poure folk the mercy of Iesu Crist.
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 26 (MED) She mesurid one cevefull And yaue it to the mynystris.
c1450 (c1370) G. Chaucer A.B.C. 174 Sithe he his merci mesured so large, Be ye not skant.
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 30 (MED) O thou soueraigne Sapience..which mesuredest the tyme and assigned to euerything his bowndes.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 635/1 By the same mesure that you mesure to other men wyll men mesure by to you.
1613 F. Beaumont Knight of Burning Pestle v. sig. K1 I have brought you this day..to measure out in these furious fields, Honour by the ell.
1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel 241 If you be not pleased with this Mesuring Indulgences.
1790 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) II. 117 Each district measures out its obedience by its wishes.
1804 Sydney Gaz. 3 June 4 Several Persons to whom Grounds have been measured..do not reside thereon.
1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 152 To measure out the quantity of estate that the devisee was to take.
1876 L. Stephen Hist. Eng. Thought 18th Cent. II. xii. vi. 429 Sermons were measured out with no grudging hand.
1927 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. 21 824 Justice..demands that fair and impartial treatment be measured out to all concerned.
1990 Philos. Rev. 99 282 If we took this..account literally, it seems we would have to measure out punishment in accord with such subjective factors as relative degrees of temptation.
†b. intransitive. To mete or deal something out in a specific or regulated quantity. In extended use: to mete out treatment of a particular kind to a person. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) 2 Cor. x. 13 We schulden not glorie into ful moche, but vp the mesure of reule, bi which God mesuride[L. mensus est] to vs.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 330 (MED) If I hafe with þies messurs messurd wrang, or disseyvid any creatur.
1452 in C. Gross Gild Merchant (1890) II. 67 The sayde..wardens shall mesure & devyde trulye to ewry of theme after harr degree.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 30v That thou mayst be measured vnto with the lyke measure that thou hast meaten vnto others.
†c. transitive (in passive). To be provided with a portion or measured quantity of something; (figurative) to be treated or rewarded with conduct, etc., of a particular kind. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 92 (MED) Sich a soule may alwey loue with þe same loue þat he comeþ to me, & with þe same mesure he schal be mesurid aȝein.
c1450 (a1425) Metrical Paraphr. Old Test. (Selden) 17923 (MED) Þe kyng asked hym yf he wold..be mesurd with þat same mett lyke to his broþer and so be slayn.
d. transitive. Chiefly with out. To dispense (liquid, etc.) in measured quantities.
ΚΠ
1700 R. Blackmore Paraphr. Job xxviii. 123 He measures out the drops with wondrous Skill, Which the black Clouds his floating Bottles fill.
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) 148 He lik'd the Thought, undertook the Office, and with the help of a few hands to measure out the Liquor executed it to Satisfaction.
1815 W. Combe Eng. Dance of Death I. 89 Behold the Master, Who deals in Bolus, Pill and Plaister. See how his Visage he disposes, As his hands measure out the doses.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxvii. 409 Those wide-lipped crystal vessels..in which chemists..measure out their liquid drugs.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Strange Case Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 102 He..measured out a few minims of the red tincture.
1904 L. T. Meade Love Triumphant iv. iv. 320 The woman measured a dose into a glass.
a1938 J. Crawford in G. P. Rawick Amer. Slave Suppl. (1979) 2nd Ser. IV. 971 If we get sick though, old Grandpappy liked to come and measure out the medicine.
1975 New Yorker 30 June 33/3 She measures his orange juice and Perrier water as carefully as if it were a Martini.
1993 Canad. Living June 84/1 (advt.) Measure out..Beef Bouillon Liquid..vinegar..honey..garlic powder..pepper and oregano.
2.
a. transitive. Of a person: to ascertain or determine the magnitude or quantity of (something); (of a thing) to be the means of ascertaining or determining the magnitude or quantity of (something). Also intransitive.In quot. 1775 with the unit of measurement as subject.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > take measurements [verb (intransitive)]
metec1300
measurea1382
to take (the, one's) measures (also measure)c1395
the world > relative properties > measurement > measure [verb (transitive)] > be the means of measuring
measure1688
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Exod. xvi. 18 Þei mesourde [a1425 Corpus Oxf. mesurden; a1425 L.V. metiden; L. mensi sunt] it [sc. manna] at þe mesour of Gomor.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. 1848 Þei..mesured lond & did it stake þat his owen ilk did knowe.
1415 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 232 The boundes I-founde & misered of the..grounde of John Bernardes.
c1480 (a1400) St. Lawrence 552 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 418 He gert mesoure þe tre sone, & fand It mare be quantyte þane to þe wark nedit be.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. xi. 37 Thus is by geometrye mesured alle thingis.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 634/1 I mesure clothe with a yerde.
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie xcii. 76 This mayde right mesurer to me is, As I to other haue mesurde wrong.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. xxi. 2 They shall measure vnto the cities which are round about him that is slaine. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 113 An Ell and three quarters, will not measure her from hip to hip. View more context for this quotation
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 260/2 Some measure..Salmons and Eels by Ale Measure.
1733 A. Pope Ess. Man ii. 20 Go measure Earth, weigh Air, and state the Tides.
1775 J. Harris Philos. Arrangem. xii. 301 The Gallon measures the Wine.
1811 T. Davis Gen. View Agric. Wilts. (new ed.) 259 Whip Land, land..measured out (when ploughed) by the whip's length.
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 276 Corn is measured up direct from the fanners in this way.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 36 The young carpenter should be taught to measure and use the rule.
1950 Sci. News 15 31 It is customary and convenient to speak of measuring the universe, and the methods are such that no confusion is likely to arise.
1969 W. Gass Icicles ii. 137 He could use his tape and if they were still there, he could measure them, that would be interesting—to know how large.
1982 N.Y. Times 20 May a1/6 The time for negotiations must now be measured in hours.
†b. transitive. To adjust to particular dimensions or measurements. Also intransitive. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 22952 Mai..Mak a wel fairer licam, And if þar-of was mar or less, To mesur als his will es.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1960) xii. iv. 35 The forrettis of thir beistis toppis baith They clip and missour, as tho was the gys.
c. transitive. To ascertain or determine (a magnitude or quantity). Also with clause as object. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measure [verb (transitive)]
bemetec893
meteOE
mensurec1429
gaugec1440
measure1456
to take a scantling of1585
fathom1611
admetiate1623
quantify1627
span1641
to take (also get) the measure of1650
mensurate1653
to take the gauge of1780
spoil1794
quantitate1900
pace1955
1456–7 Guildhall Plea & Memoranda Rolls A. 81 mem. 7 To mesure oute howe muche of the same g[rounde] belongeth to the said brethren & sustren.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. xl. 11 He measured the wydenesse of the dore: which was x cubites, & the heyth of the dore xiij cubites.
?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. iii. sig. C j Measure out the like length in the perpendiculare..beginning from the ground line.
1590 J. Blagrave Baculum Familliare xviii. 27 Marke that station on the ground... Then measure exactly the distance betweene those two stations.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. ii. 22 Till you had measur'd how long a Foole you were vpon the ground. View more context for this quotation
1656 T. Blount Glossographia at The Dioptick Art That part of Astronomy, which by Quadrants and hollow instruments pierces the Heavens, and measures the distance, length, bigness, and breadth of the Cœlestial bodies.
1715 G. Cheyne Philos. Princ. Relig. (ed. 2) i. vi. 350 Our two Eyes are like two different Stations in Longimetry, by the assistance of which, the distance between two Objects is measured.
1751 Chambers's Cycl. (ed. 7) at Barometer To measure how much that difference is..is the business of the barometer.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 356 Those instruments called anemometers, which are made to measure the velocity of the wind.
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. i. iii. 41 The angles of these triangles are to be measured.
1844 E. B. Barrett Drama of Exile 10 in Poems I Whence to mark despair, And measure out the distances from good!
1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 210 By measuring from P along the lines PA1, PA2, PA3,..lengths, Pa1, Pa2, Pa3.
1933 A. W. Barton Text Bk. Heat vii. 158 The chemical hygrometer measures the relative humidity directly.
1992 Discover May 68/3 These instruments can measure how much of a chemical exists in a sample ‘right down to parts per trillion’.
d. transitive. With out. To make (preliminary) measurements of, as a basis for making or building something; to mark out (something) according to measurements. Frequently with intended creation or construction as object. Also in extended use.
ΚΠ
1569 W. Samuel Abridgem. Olde Test.: Ezek. xli. sig. X.v At large to him described was, the temple then of God: And mesurde out by Cubits meet, euen with a reedy rod.
1585 J. Sharrock tr. C. Ockland Valiant Actes Eng. Nation sig. D2 Here shall the race be pight, and certaine limitts measured out.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vi. 2 Heere lie I downe, And measure out my graue. View more context for this quotation
1653 R. Austen Treat. Fruit-trees 63 Concerning Order in setting Trees, though it be not essentiall..yet if men stand upon it, they may measure out a square plot of ground (more or lesse) by a line.
1717 J. Addison in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Metamorphoses iii. 74 Mark well the Place where first she lays her down, There measure out thy Walls, and build thy Town.
1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 177 A cloud to measure out their march by day.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary II. v. 134 The old man drew off from the ground, which was now measured out by the seconds.
1884 N.E.D. at Admeasure To apply a measure to; to measure out.
1950 H. C. Bosman in S. Gray Makapan's Caves (1987) 141 Bekkersdal was proclaimed as a township, and the bush was cleared away and the surveyor measured out the streets.
1991 Martha Stewart Living July 20/3 Continue to measure out equal squares..until design is completely pencilled out.
e. transitive. to measure (†out) one's length: to fall or lie prostrate. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > fall down or from erect position > specifically of person or animal > fall flat or prostrate
streeka1325
platc1330
sleta1400
frontc1540
to measure (out) one's lengthc1580
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) 3 Kings xvii. 21 He spradde out hymselue & mesurede [a1425 L.V. mat; L. mensus est] vp on þe child þre syþes.]
c1580 ( tr. Bk. Alexander (1925) I. i. 1860 His lenth he mesurit in the meid.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. iii. 17 Faintnesse constraineth mee, To measure, out my length, on this cold bed. View more context for this quotation
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 88 If you will measure your lubbers length againe, tarry. View more context for this quotation
1675 Char. Town-gallant 6 The trembling Constable..forced to measure his Length upon the Ground.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. xi. 208 A Blow..reduced him to measure his Length on the Ground. View more context for this quotation
1825 J. Banim & M. Banim Tales by O'Hara Family 1st Ser. I. 163 He measured his length among the rocks.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xix. 181 He lost his balance, and measured his length upon the ground.
1853 W. Stirling Cloister Life Charles V 163 Many of his cedars..measured their length upon the discomfited parterres.
1915 J. Buchan Thirty-nine Steps viii. 196 I let out with my left, and had the satisfaction of seeing him measure his length in the gutter.
1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer Odyssey xviii He uttered a groan and measured his length in the dust; while his spouted flagon clanged loudly as it rolled.
f. transitive. To take various measurements of the figure of (a person) in order to make up clothes. Also in extended use.
ΚΠ
1604 T. Dekker & T. Middleton Honest Whore i. x. sig. Gv Tis a male-varlet sure my Lord, for a womans tayler nore measurd him.
1640 T. Rawlins Rebellion i. i. sig. B3v Another Dona fly from the close imbracements of her Lord, to be all over measur'd by her Tayler.
1785 Daily Universal Reg. 1 Jan. 4/4 Ladies may be measured and have them [sc. cloaks] made to their liking.
1824 R. Humphreys Mem. J. Decastro 156 Mr. Cross..when he wrote a character for a person, measured the extent of his genius the same as a tailor does the body for a garment, and was generally very successful in making a good fit.
1836 F. Marryat Japhet I. xvii. 221 I ordered a suit of the most fashionable clothes,..being very minute in my directions to the foreman, who measured me.
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) ii. 14 You have been already measured for your mourning, haven't you?
1859 B. Jerrold Life D. Jerrold vi. 94 The pig was to be measured for his part.
a1890 in A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang (1890) II. 49/1 He had been measured for a funeral sermon three times, he said, and had never used either one of them.
1896 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang IV. 296 To have been measured for a new umbrella..(American),—(1) To appear in new but ill-fitting clothes; whence (2) to pursue a policy of doubtful wisdom.
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §117/16 Be buried,..be measured for a new overcoat.
1975 R. P. Jhabvala Heat & Dust (1976) 9 The little tailor..measured me right there and then in his open shop.
g. transitive. to measure swords (also one's sword) (with) and variants: to meet in a contest or battle, or to try one's strength (with); to go up against someone in a dispute or competition. Cf. sense 13c.Originally with reference to the practice of ensuring that duellists' swords were of the same length; see quot. 1590.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > offer challenge of single combat or duel > engage in single combat or duel
to deraign battlec1380
kemp?a1400
to measure swords (also one's sword) (with)a1616
duellize1624
duel1647
to come to points1762
1590 W. Segar Bk. Honor & Armes iii. 48 The Conestable did likewise measure the weapons of the Combattors.]
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) v. iv. 85 And so wee measur'd swords, and parted. View more context for this quotation
1664 J. Wilson Cheats iv. i. 47 Tyro Not fighting, I hope? Titere Tu No—The Major, and I, have been only measuring blades.
1766 D. Garrick Let. 15 May (1963) II. 511 You say such fine things of him, that I ought to measure Swords wth him, instead of doing him any Service in my Power.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond II. ii. 24 You..wanted to measure swords with Mohun, did you?
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 267 Four times over he had now measured his sword with the future conquerors of the world.
1927 Amer. Hist. Rev. 32 836 I should translate here and there a bit differently, but I have not the effrontery to measure swords with a man who has 600,000 cards with references and meaning, while I have only the printed lists.
1996 N. T. R. Rao in Time Internat. (Electronic ed.) 29 Jan. 9 I must lead my party to battle. I want to measure my sword in the treasure of Congress.
h. transitive. colloquial. To strike, knock down (a person). [Compare French mesurer un coup . Partridge ( Dict. Underworld (1949) 453/2) suggests that the sense may be ‘to cause [a person] to measure his length upon the ground’ (compare sense 2e); however, in some examples it is not apparent that the person struck falls to the ground. Quot. 1882 perhaps suggests that the weapon is being figured as a rod or similar for gauging the part of the body struck.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > specific animate object
drepeOE
smitec1200
buffet?c1225
strike1377
rapa1400
seta1400
frontc1400
ballc1450
throw1488
to bear (a person) a blow1530
fetch1556
douse1559
knetcha1564
slat1577
to hit any one a blow1597
wherret1599
alapate1609
shock1614
baske1642
measure1652
plump1785
jow1802
nobble1841
scuff1841
clump1864
bust1873
plonk1874
to sock it to1877
dot1881
biff1888
dong1889
slosh1890
to soak it to1892
to cop (a person) one1898
poke1906
to hang one on1908
bop1931
clonk1949
1652 J. Wright tr. J.-P. Camus Nature's Paradox vi. 132 Hee had his Arm already up to measure Pisides o're the Shoulders.
1882 A. Trollope Two Heroines of Plumplington in Good Words Dec. 3/1 If you speak another word to Polly, old as I am, I'll measure you across the back with my stick.
1924 G. C. Henderson Keys to Crookdom Measure, to knock down.
1950 H. E. Goldin Dict. Amer. Underworld Lingo 137/2 The first dude..who beefs.., measure with the butt of your biscuit (gun).
i. transitive. With up. To ascertain the magnitudes or quantities of all the salient features of; to take complete and accurate measurements of. Also intransitive.
ΚΠ
1915 W. H. Bragg & W. L. Bragg X-rays & Crystal Structure vii. 111 Whatever class of symmetry the crystal belongs to, this enables us to measure up an elementary cell of its structure.
1974 Daily Tel. 14 Feb. 2/7 They needed to know how to measure up a room and calculate how many square yards of carpet were needed to cover the floor.
1994 Which? May 34/3 Five volunteers put their homes on the market and got estate agents in to measure up.
3. transitive. To establish or mark out a line or distance of (a definite length). Frequently with off, out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measure [verb (transitive)] > measure out something
metec1300
measurec1384
admeasure?c1425
mete1600
the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > measure (off) a length or distance [verb (transitive)]
measurec1384
take1551
to set offa1647
to take off1658
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Ezek. xlviii. 30 Fro the north coost thou shalt mesure fyue hundrid and foure thousandis.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Num. xxxv. A Ye shal measure without the cite on ye East syde, two thousande cubites.
1794 H. B. Dudley Travellers in Switzerland ii. v. 50 [He] takes his pistols out of the case, measures six short paces,..and strips to his flannel waistcoat.
1887 ‘J. S. Winter’ That Imp ii. 13 ‘No, no; five inches is too strong, say three,’ laughed Driver, measuring off three inches on a silver paper-knife at hand.
1949 ‘G. Orwell’ Nineteen Eighty-four 276 In a little while he could walk three kilometres, measured by pacing the cell.
1977 Kitchens & Bathrooms (Time Life Bks.) i. 23/2 (caption) Measure one tile width..plus ¼ inch for clearance under the tiles.
4.
a. transitive. To travel over or traverse (a certain distance, route, area, or place). Chiefly poetic. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > traverse a distance or ground
runeOE
overcomeOE
meteOE
through-gangOE
passc1300
to pass over ——c1300
overpassc1325
tracec1381
travela1393
traverse?a1400
travelc1400
measure?a1425
walkc1450
go1483
journey1531
peragrate1542
trade1548
overspin1553
overtrace1573
tract1579
progress1587
invade1590
waste1590
wear1596
march1606
void1608
recovera1625
expatiate1627
lustrate1721
do1795
slip1817
cover1818
clear1823
track1823
itinerate1830
betravel1852
to roll off1867
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. v. pr. i. 23 Thou ne maist nat suffise to mesuren the ryghte weie [L. ad emetiendum rectum iter].
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Sept. 21 Since when thou hast measured much ground.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A7v The Sunne that measures heauen all day long.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. iv. 85 For we must measure twenty miles to day. View more context for this quotation
1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin iii. 25 With equal pace the Temples Nave they measure!
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. i. 339 He..Measur'd a length of seas, a toilsome length, in vain.
1835 W. Wordsworth Extempore Effusion Death J. Hogg 13 Nor has the rolling year twice measured, From sign to sign, its steadfast course, Since [etc.].
a1854 R. M. Bird City Looking Glass (1933) iii. i. 61 There came a tailor with a bill a yard long; but seeing you were melancholy, I told him his present suit didn't fit; and so he took a back-stitch, and measured the street towards his cabbage garden.
b. transitive. to measure back (also backward): to retrace (one's steps, one's way, etc.). Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > retrace (one's course or steps)
retrace1594
untread1594
recompassc1604
retreat1605
to measure back (also backward)a1616
recollect1651
retrace1775
retrack1839
unthread1847
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. v. 3 When English measure backward their owne ground In faint Retire. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 526 The Vessel..measures back with speed her former Way.
1758 T. Smollett Hist. Eng. III. 150 They measured back their ground with some disorder.
1797 E. Burke Lett. Peace Regic. France iii, in Wks. (1802) 502 With a sort of plodding perseverance, we resolve to measure back again the very same joyless, hopeless,..track.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. x. ix. 112 Measure back your steps..to Lirias, and stay quietly there.
1887 W. Morris tr. Homer Odyssey I. xii. 229 Lest my way I must measure backward to Charybdis and her bane.
†5.
†a. transitive. To encircle, encompass. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)]
befong971
beclipc1000
begoc1000
belieOE
bestandc1000
to go about ——OE
umbegangc1200
behema1250
befallc1275
berunc1275
girdc1290
bihalvena1300
umlapa1300
umlaya1300
umlouka1300
umbegoc1300
belayc1320
halsea1340
enclose1340
umbelapa1350
embracec1360
betrendc1374
circlec1374
umbecasta1375
to give about1382
environa1393
umbeclipa1395
compassa1400
encircle?a1400
enourle?a1400
umbegivea1400
umbeseta1400
umbeliec1400
umbetighc1400
enroundc1420
measurec1425
umbsteadc1450
adviron?1473
purprise1481
umbeviron1489
belta1500
girtha1500
overgirda1500
engirt15..
envirea1513
round?a1513
brace1513
umbereach1513
becompass1520
circuea1533
girtc1540
umbsetc1540
circule1553
encompass1555
circulate?a1560
ingyre1568
to do about1571
engird1573
circumdate1578
succinge1578
employ1579
circuate1581
girdle1582
wheel1582
circumgyre1583
enring1589
ringa1592
embail1593
enfold1596
invier1596
stem1596
circumcingle1599
ingert1599
engirdle1602
circulize1603
circumscribe1605
begirt1608
to go round1610
enwheela1616
surround1616
shingle1621
encirculize1624
circumviron1632
beround1643
orba1644
circumference1646
becircle1648
incircuitc1650
circumcinge1657
circumtend1684
besiege1686
cincture1789
zone1795
cravat1814
encincture1820
circumvent1824
begirdle1837
perambulate1863
cordon1891
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 63 (MED) The howse that was mesurid with the threid, hit [sc. a fire] myght nat hurte.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xl. A Who hath measured heauen with his spanne, and hath comprehended all the earth of ye worlde in thre fyngers?
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 210 The String that comes down every Tread, measures a small Circumference oftner than it does a greater Circumference.
b. transitive. Chiefly with out. To mark the boundary, extent, or course of; to delimit. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > edge, border, or margin > boundary > bound or form boundary of [verb (transitive)] > fix boundary of
meteeOE
markeOE
mereOE
bound1393
determinea1398
terminea1398
rede1415
measurea1513
butt1523
space1548
limit1555
determinate1563
to mark out1611
contermine1624
to run out1671
verge1759
demarcate1816
outline1817
define1843
rope1862
delimit1879
delimitate1879
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. ii. sig. a.vv The..ryuer, and water of Mersee..Mesurynge and metynge, the bondes..Bitwene chesshyr & lancashyr.
†6. transitive. Chiefly Mathematics. Of a quantity: to be a factor or submultiple of (another quantity); (reflexive) to be exactly divisible by. Also intransitive. Cf. measure n. 11. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > perform arithmetic or algebraic operations [verb (transitive)] > be measure or submultiple
measurec1450
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > perform arithmetic or algebraic operations [verb (transitive)] > divide > be divisible by
contain1570
measure1705
c1450 Art Nombryng in R. Steele Earliest Arithm. in Eng. (1922) 46 (MED) Nombre superficial..comethe of ledynge of oo nombre into a-nother..hathe 2 nombres notyng or mesurynge hym, as a superficialle thynge hathe 2 dimensions, þat is to sey, lengthe and brede.
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. v. f. 126 The other kinde of a part, is any lesse quantitie in comparison of a greater, whether it be in number or magnitude, and whether it measure or no.
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. x. f. 234 If a magnitude measure two magnitudes, it shall also measure their greatest common measure.
1614 T. Ravenscroft Briefe Disc. Musicke 3 The Minime is the first Note that Measureth (being in it selfe indiuisible) and the Semibreue the first note Measured.
1702 V. Mandey tr. J. J. Hainlin Synopsis Mathematica: Theoret. Arithm. i. 6 Every number measures it self by unity; so 7 measures it self by 1.
1705 E. Scarburgh Eng. Euclide 177 (note) A Quotal part measures the whole: which is then called a Multiple of that part.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. (new ed.) I. 450/1 Evenly Even Number, is that which an even number measures by an even number; as 16, which the number 8 measures by the even number 2.
7. figurative.
†a. transitive. To go over with one's eye, to peruse. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. xii. sig. Oo6v Full dreadfull thinges out of that balefull booke He red, and measur'd many a sad verse.
b. transitive. To run one's eye up and down (a person), esp. so as to appraise or form an opinion about him or her. Hence in later use: to appraise or assess a person by eye (cf. sense 15).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > take the measure of
measure?a1425
gauge1583
to sum up1631
measure1684
to touch off1766
to take (also get) the measure of1790
to get (also take, etc.) a person's number1853
reckon1853
to put up1864
size1884
to weigh up1894
to read the room1975
1684 N. Lee Constantine iii. i. 31 When next we meet, From Head to Foot to measure him with my Eye, Both as an Object of my scorn and hate.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. viii. 48 My Brother..having measured me, as I may say, with his eyes..from head to foot.
1798 W. Render tr. A. von Kotzebue Count Benyowsky i. 8 (stage direct.) Looks up at him with astonishment, views him earnestly, measures him from head to foot, and speaks.
1830 Lady Morgan France 1829–30 II. 292 The emperor..stopped short, and measuring the grand master from head to foot, said..‘Eh quoi, Monsieur?’
1860 J. S. Blackie Lyrical Poems iii. 179 Mark him, Jenny, and measure him well! Who knows what may yet be true?
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xli. 59 In many an eye that measures me.
1932 E. A. Robinson Sisera in Nicodemus 23 Her eyes measured him with scorn.
1983 ‘Trevanian’ Summer of Katya (1984) 92 I measured him charily for a moment.
8. transitive. To register the passing of (time, or a period of time); to count (time).Perhaps with a mixture of senses 1d, 2a, and 3, used figuratively
ΚΠ
1597 H. Lok Ecclesiastes i. 3 In the lightsome sunne we proofe may find; Whose time in measuring out our time is spent, Whilst we to marke his motion onely ment.
1616 R. Anton Philosophers Satyrs 3 Liue still our radiant Sunne of Maiestie: And measure out the Autum, Winter, Spring, In Libra's Signe.
1659 W. Montagu Shepheard's Paradise v. 139 Take this watch with my promise, that before it measure three hours more, you shall know my story.
1714 E. Ward Field-spy 4 Above the Clouds I view'd the boundless space, Where wand'ring Planets measure out our Days.
1785 Lounger No. 24. §3 It was Peter's province..to attend me at noon with the dumb-bells, and measure out my hour of exercise.
1881 R. L. Stevenson Virginibus Puerisque 271 You have no idea, unless you have tried it, how endlessly long is a summer's day, that you measure out only by hunger, and bring to an end only when you are drowsy.
1917 T. S. Eliot Love Song J. Alfred Prufrock in Prufrock & Other Observ. 12 I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
1920 E. Wharton Age of Innocence xxxii. 328 May sat without moving or speaking while the clock slowly measured out five minutes.
1974 J. Brunner Times without Number (1981) 50 Familiar substantive time, in which one measured out one's daily life, and hard-to-grasp durative time in which one experienced events during a time-journey.
1991 Times 19 Oct. (Review Suppl.) 23/1 This is a man who has measured out his life in fan-tailed warblers and brown shrikes.
9.
a. intransitive. With predicative complement: to have a measurement of (a specified magnitude or quantity).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measure [verb (transitive)] > have a measurement of
measure1671
to run up1852
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 210 E're yet my age Had measur'd twice six years. View more context for this quotation
1753 Scots Mag. June 307/1 Some of the stones measured three inches about.
1794 A. Thomas Newfoundland Jrnl. (1968) 121 Its shape is Triagonal and it measures Three Hundred and Fifty Miles in length.
1823 H. J. Brooke Familiar Introd. Crystallogr. 198 The planes M on M′, measure 120°.
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §297 Each shutter measuring four feet six inches superficial.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VII. 540 The circumference of his head measures 22 inches.
1904 H. Adams Mont-Saint-Michel & Chartres iii. 36 A row of columns down the centre divides it into two aisles, measuring twelve feet clear, from column to column, across the room.
1925 Scribner's Mag. Oct. 15 (advt.) A reproduction whale-oil lamp which measures 18½ inches to the top of the bulb.
1985 A. Cohen Admirable Woman (1987) 106 I overlooked a small garden—it measured not more than a thousand square feet.
1995 Canad. Horseman Mar. 36/1 The english-style pad measures 14″ by 22″ and offers European style and performance.
b. intransitive. To have a (dimensional or quantitative) measurement; to be measurable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > take measurements [verb (intransitive)] > admit of measurement
measure1765
1765 Museum Rusticum 3 222 My malt..does not shrink so much when it comes to be laid on the kiln; of course it measures to more advantage.
1867 Sci. Amer. 23 Feb. 118/3 [Granulated sugar] is consumed with less waste than any other form of sugar, because it measures more uniformly and exactly by bulk.
1974 Nature 30 Aug. 759/1 The groups variously claim that they deal in unquantifiable forces (ethics don't measure).
1984 M. Dittrick & D. Dittrick No Uncertain Terms 100 A minute of latitude doesn't measure the same at the equator..as it does at the poles.
II. To moderate, regulate; to make proportional or commensurate.
10.
a. transitive. To regulate, moderate, restrain (now used only of words, speech, etc.). Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > have specific dimensions [verb (transitive)] > give size to or adjust size of
measure1340
size1623
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > make moderate (behaviour) [verb (transitive)]
tempera1050
methea1200
measure1340
refrainc1384
attemperc1386
obtempera1492
temperatea1568
obtemperate1575
soberize1707
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 254 (MED) Þe wyse and þe wel ytoȝte tempreþ and mesureþ his wordes.
c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 200 Ȝif he be Mesured wiþ Mekenesse, þen pite in him hit wol be preste.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 28918 (MED) Þou can mesure þe Quen þat þou giues þi charite.
c1450 Digby Plays 180 Gud Mawdleyn, mesure youre distillinge teres!
c1475 Mankind (1969) 227 (MED) Mesure yowrsylf euer; be ware of excesse.
c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 166 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 33 Nero, mesure þi gret foly.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 3928 He mesuret his maners, þof he þe myrth vsid.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 40 Too measure our sorow, so as wee giue not our selues ouer too it.
1633 G. Herbert Sacrifice in Temple vi. 19 My hearts deare treasure Drops bloud (the onely beads) my words to measure: O let this cup passe, if it be thy pleasure.
a1855 C. Brontë Professor (1857) II. xxiv. 188 Hunsden (thanks to the constraint of the foreign tongue) was obliged to shape his phrases, and measure his sentences, with a care that forbade any eccentricity.
1858 F. W. Newman Theism iii. 174 Because many men are prone to be careless and light-minded, Speaking without seriousness and without measuring their words, Oftentimes it is hard to bind them to sober and strict truth.
1948 Philos. & Phenomenol. Res. 8 498 I am measuring my words when I say that most boards of trustees..constantly employ this method of preventing discussion of controversial subjects.
1987 Making Music Feb. 24/2 ‘I like’, says Summers, measuring his words not to sound too elevated, ‘to be able to talk on a fairly high level about music’.
†b. transitive. To limit or restrict (a person). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > restriction of free action > restrict in free action [verb (transitive)]
bindc1200
hamper?a1366
chain1377
coarctc1400
prison?a1425
tether?a1505
fetter1526
imprisona1533
strait1533
swaddle1539
measure1560
shacklea1568
to tie up1570
manacle1577
straitena1586
hopple1586
immew16..
scant1600
cabina1616
criba1616
trammela1616
copse1617
cramp1625
cloister1627
incarcerate1640
hidebind1642
strait-lace1662
perstringe1679
hough-band1688
cabin1780
pin1795
strait jacket1814
peg1832
befetter1837
to tie the hands of1866
corset1935
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restriction or limitation > restrict or limit [verb (transitive)] > in free action
bind971
hamper?a1366
chain1377
coarctc1400
prison?a1425
tether?a1505
fetter1526
imprisona1533
strait1533
swaddle1539
measure1560
shacklea1568
to tie up1570
manacle1577
straitena1586
hopple1586
immew16..
scant1600
cabina1616
criba1616
trammela1616
copse1617
cramp1625
cloister1627
incarcerate1640
hidebind1642
to box up1659
strait-lace1662
perstringe1679
hough-band1688
cabin1780
pin1795
strait jacket1814
peg1832
befetter1837
to tie the hands of1866
hog-tie1924
corset1935
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxlixv It was lawfull neyther for him nor no man els to prescribe or measure them in this behalf.
†11.
a. transitive. To make proportional to or commensurate with something else; to regulate or moderate according to a standard, etc. Frequently with by, after, to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > make proportionate (to)
proportiona1398
qualify1548
modulatec1570
proportionate1570
measure1590
cantle1603
apportion1615
equal1618
commensurate1660
scantle1711
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 252 (MED) Þe bougres and þe misbylefde..wylleþ mesuri þe beleaue be hare onderstondinge.
c1450 (c1400) Bk. Vices & Virtues (Huntington) (1942) 280 (MED) Þei schul mesuren here vnderstondyng and here skilles after þe mesure of þe fey.
a1527 R. Thorne in R. Hakluyt Divers Voy. (1582) sig. B4 The preciousnesse of these things is measured after the distance that is betweene vs, and the things that we haue appetite vnto.
1587 R. Greene Euphues sig. Iv Hee is to measure all his actions; yea, his very thoughts with such an honorable resolution.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. xii. sig. Aa3 On the rocke the waues breaking aloft, A solemne Meane vnto them measured.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. i. 153 Measure not thy entertainment of a guest by his estate, but thine own.
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule of Holy Living (1686) ii. §7. 117 If you will secure a contented spirit, you must measure your desires by your fortune,..not your fortunes by your desires.
1733 A. Pope Ess. Man i. 71 His Being measur'd to his State, and Place.
†b. transitive (in passive, usually with adv.). Of a person's body, features, garments, etc.: to be proportioned or formed (in a specified way). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1425 Rule St. Benet (Lansd.) (1902) 378 (MED) Þabbesse sal loke þat tay [sc. the nuns' garments] be riht mesurd.
c1450 Complaint against Hope (Fairf.) (1957) 82 (MED) Take hede of hir beaute clarefied, Of her fetures that so wel ben mesured.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 236 (MED) He is wel dysposid aftyr kynde that hath tendyr flesh..the hede well y-mesurid.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 3033 With browes full brent..ffull metly made & mesured betwene.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer i. sig. I.iiiiv A figure of marble or mettall, wherin the members are all round, proporcioned and measured as nature her self shapeth them.
c. transitive and intransitive. To be brought into proportion (with); to be commensurate (with). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > render relative or proportionate > be proportionate to
measure1508
to hold measure with1611
scantle1621
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. avi Your mycht and your maieste mesure but mys.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 43 Your promise was, that your dealing shoulde measure their deseruing.
1633 G. Herbert Temple: Sacred Poems 167 Surely thy sweet and wondrous love Shall measure all my dayes [L. subsequetur me omnibus diebus vitæ meæ].
III. To judge, assess, compare; to gauge against something.
12. To bring into comparison or competition.
†a. transitive. To compare to or unto. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)]
evenOE
comparisonc1374
measurea1382
remenec1390
compare1509
confer?1531
to lay togethera1568
lay1577
paragona1586
paragonize1589
set1589
sympathize1600
confront1604
to name on (also in) the same day1609
collate1612
to lay down by1614
sampler1628
to set together1628
matcha1649
run1650
vie1685
to put together1690
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xli. 49 Þe plentiþ of whete was so mych þat to þe grauell of þe see it was mesurd [a1425 Corpus Oxf. mesurid] euen [a1425 L.V. maad euene; L. coæquaretur].
a1450 York Plays (1885) 357 (MED) Fully feele..Yf any mournyng may be meete Or myscheue mesured vnto myne.
b. intransitive. To compare oneself or be comparable with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > have spatial extent [verb (intransitive)] > be as big as
measure1633
1633 G. Herbert Temple: Sacred Poems iv Will great God measure with a wretch? Shall he thy stature spell?
1712 J. Arbuthnot Law is Bottomless-pit xi. 20 The prodigious Dimensions of them; in short, they would have measur'd with the best Bale of Cloath in John's Shop.
1904 G. Parker Ladder of Swords vi. 61 Her words for the great cause had measured well with her deeds.
1907 Smart Set Mar. 126/2 The dog moved a cat-like step forward, making up the interval, and the man made a mental note that its single stride measured with his.
c. transitive. To bring into comparison, opposition, or competition with; to match with; to compare against. Also reflexive: to try one's strength against. Cf. sense 2g.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > compete with [verb (transitive)] > set in competition
couple1362
comparison1382
matchc1440
commit1614
measure1720
pit1754
pitch1801
society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > compete with [verb (transitive)] > match (one's strength or skill) against a rival
pit1754
measure1869
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad VI. xxiii. 888 All start at once; Oïleus led the Race; The next Ulysses, meas'ring Pace with Pace.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 337 To measure lots With less distinguish'd than ourselves.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. v. 187 He was pleased to measure dignities with his King.
1838 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Ferdinand & Isabella III. ii. xiv. 119 He was compelled to measure his genius with that of the greatest captain of the age.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 191 Herbert was not afraid to measure himself against a much more dangerous enemy.
1897 J. Conrad Nigger of ‘Narcissus’ iv. 68 A tribute of respect due to a man who through half a century had measured his strength against the favours and the rages of the sea.
1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers xii. 322 Mrs. Morel measured herself against the younger woman, and found herself easily stronger.
1992 Vanity Fair (N.Y.) June 40 McKellen sloughs off the New Olivier moniker, admitting that he has measured his classical career against that of Sir Laurence but saying that he couldn't possibly be what Olivier was.
d. intransitive. Originally U.S. to measure up to: to be equal (in ability, etc.) to; to match. to measure up: to have necessary qualifications or meet a required standard; to fulfil expectations.Cf. to match up to at match v.1 6b, size v.1 8c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > be capable of [verb (transitive)] > have the ability for
to measure up to1854
cut1900
to have (also carry) the guns for1961
1854 De Bow's Rev. June 561 It is obvious that the limits fixed thereby..are more liberal than the establishment [sc. the postal service] will be able hereafter to measure up to, without leaning on the national treasury.
1906 J. London White Fang iii. vi. 171 Both from his father, the wolf, and from Kiche, he had inherited stature and strength, and already he was measuring up alongside the full-grown dogs.
1909 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Avonlea iv. 36 ‘Well,’ said George slowly, torn between his real convictions and his wish to measure up to Anne's ideal, ‘there's something to be said on both sides.’
1958 Spectator 7 Feb. 181/2 The later period, however, does not measure up to the earlier in the originality or interest of its political literature.
1991 S. Forward Obsessive Love iii. 196 This rejection results from parents who..have such unrealistic expectations that their children never stand a chance to measure up.
13. To judge or appraise with reference to something else.
a. transitive. To judge the greatness or value of (a person, a quality, etc.) by or against (formerly also †with) a certain standard or rule; to appraise by comparison with something else. In later use merging with sense 13b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > according to rule or standard
meteeOE
examine1340
puta1382
measurec1384
scan?c1550
cantle1603
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) 2 Cor. x. 12 We metinge, or mesuringe, vs in vs silf..we schulden not glorie into ful moche.
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 10 Thou must putte the in peyne to knowe þi fortune, for she and thy frendis be mesured by on mesure.
1586 G. Pettie & B. Yong tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (rev. ed.) iv. f. 195v We ought perfectlie to..understand the sentences of our auncestors, and measure them with their customes.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 199 It is great injustice, that our actions should be measured by opinion, and not by reason.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. ii. 4 Men measure, not onely other men, but all other things, by themselves.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 396 Measure life By its true worth, the comfort it affords.
1829 R. Southey Sir Thomas More (1831) II. 278 You judge of others by yourselves, and therefore measure them by an erroneous standard.
1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols v. 69 Measuring me by himself he supposed that I was merely telling a lie.
1957 L. Durrell Justine i. 24 Reflecting on this horrible old man's love and measuring it against my own.
1988 M. Forster Elizabeth Barrett Browning i. 19 Her knowledge was all the more extraordinary when measured against her total ignorance of actual life.
b. transitive. To estimate or assess the amount, extent, duration, value, etc., of (an immaterial thing) by comparison with some standard.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measure [verb (transitive)] > estimate measurement or amount > estimate amount of immaterial thing
measure?a1425
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. ii. pr. v. 136 Of litel nedeth hem that mesuren hir fille after the nede of kynde, and nat after the outrage of covetyse.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 384 (MED) Mesure þe wrongis þat ȝe doon to me & to ȝoure neiȝboris.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 554 How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest, Measur'd this transient World, the Race of time, Till time stand fixt. View more context for this quotation
1695 J. Locke Further Considerations conc. Raising Value of Money 5 'Tis by the quantity of Silver he gets for it in Exchange..that he measures the value of the Commodity he sells.
c1790 W. Cowper Catharina (N.Y., Morgan Libr.) 2 And by Philomels annual note To measure the life that she leads.
1837 E. Bulwer-Lytton Ernest Maltravers I. i. xiv. 135 We may measure our road to wisdom by the sorrows we have undergone.
1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table iv. 106 We cannot avoid measuring our rate of movement by those with whom we have long been in the habit of comparing ourselves.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar viii. 71 Sylla had measured the difficulty of the task which lay before him.
1920 H. J. Laski Polit. Thought in Eng. v. 196 It is difficult to measure the precise influence that Priestley exerted; certainly among Nonconformists it cannot have been small.
1951 H. Brickell in O. Henry Prize Stories Introd. p. xvi Measured against the other two Nobel awards, those to Pearl Buck and Sinclair Lewis, Mr. Faulkner's stature looms as nothing short of titanic.
1987 M. Brett How to read Financial Pages xv. 172 (heading) How do we measure currencies?
c. intransitive. To make judgements or assessments by a particular standard or rule.
ΚΠ
1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey II. vii. Observ. 171 It will be difficult to vindicate Ulysses from the imputation, if the notions of truth and falshood were as strict in former, as in these ages: but we must not measure by this standard.
1876 F. Bradley Ethical Stud. vi. 215 You can not measure by comparative lessness of bad self..nor again moreness of goodself.
1938 D. Baker Young Man with Horn iv. ii. 200 He was a musician's musician... And then in a year, or make it two, everybody had heard him and he had become a mark to shoot at, a standard to measure by.
14. transitive. To judge, estimate, appraise; to ascertain the extent or quality of (something immaterial or unquantifiable). Cf. sense 7b.In quot. ?a14252 at sense 13b with clause as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > take the measure of
measure?a1425
gauge1583
to sum up1631
measure1684
to touch off1766
to take (also get) the measure of1790
to get (also take, etc.) a person's number1853
reckon1853
to put up1864
size1884
to weigh up1894
to read the room1975
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. ii. pr. i. 95 Wisdom loketh and mesureth [L. metitur] the ende of thynges.
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iii. pr. ii. 45 Many folk mesuren and gessen that the sovereyne good be joye and gladnesse [L. Plurimi vero boni fructum gaudio lætitiaque metiuntur].
a1450 (a1396) W. Hilton Eight Chapters on Perfection 25 (MED) Þe soule is knowe bi þe spirit of discrecioun how..it schal ordeyne, rule and mesure þe feruours of Cristis loue.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1555) xxi. 100 Who of this science dooth know the certaynte All maysteries might measure perfytely.
1569 E. Fenton tr. P. Boaistuau Certaine Secrete Wonders Nature Ep. Ded. sig. Aii Ouercome with the depth of so diuine a Mysterie, as a matter not to be measured by mannes reason.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. ii. 65 If I be measurde rightly, Your maiesty hath no iust cause to hate me. View more context for this quotation
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 45 In all which the King measured and valued things amisse.
1673 J. Milton Sonnets i, in Poems (new ed.) 61 To measure life, learn thou betimes.
1857 W. E. Gladstone in Q. Rev. July 251 He may accuse us of incapacity even to measure the scope of our own arguments.
1934 R. Lynd Both Sides of Road viii. 49 It is, of course, extremely difficult to measure the happiness of any animal.
1992 N.Y. Times Mag. 6 Sept. 45/5 It is easy to count marks and dollars, yet harder to measure the sense of mission the Germans have brought to their Kulturkampf.
15. transitive. To be the means of judging or assessing the greatness or value of (an immaterial thing).
ΚΠ
1647 H. More Philos. Poems 319 Such surface skill's Unmeet to measure the profounder quill.
1850 E. P. Whipple Ess. & Rev. I. 299 The difference between duty and conduct..about measures the difference between the real and the actual.
1955 P. Larkin Mr. Bleaney in Listener 8 Sept. 373/1 How we live measures our own nature.
1994 Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey) 24 Apr. iii. 2/2 It's the large roles he played in great events that measure his impact.
IV. To set down in or divide into musical or metrical measures (measure n. 16, 17).
16. transitive. To set down in musical measures; to put into metre; to divide into metrical units.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > metre > put into metre [verb (transitive)]
metre1447
metrificate?a1475
measurec1475
metrifyc1487
metrize1572
cadence1748
ringle-jingle1913
c1475 Court of Sapience (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) 2025 The furst delyted in hyr tewnys swete; The secund mesuryd the dytee wyth the note.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme xlix. 5 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 44 Wordes shall from my mouth proceed; Which I will measure by melodious eare.
a1774 O. Goldsmith tr. P. Scarron Comic Romance (1775) I. xxiv. 278 All nature lay hushed in sleep..except some poets, who had cramp verses to measure [Fr. des vers difficiles à tourner].
c1883 G. M. Hopkins Poems (1967) 45 Common English rhythm..is measured by feet of either two or three syllables.
1928 Speculum 3 223 At a time when the Roman chant was dominated by the plague of exact measurement..certain clerics..attempted to measure the Mozarabic chant and substituted verse rhythm for prose rhythm.
1950 H. Nemerov Guide to Ruins 46 Under the cadence the beat of the common meter Sustained the matter, and the exact rime Measured the moment with a considered force.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2001; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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