释义 |
me·ter I. \ˈmēd.ə(r), -ētə-\ noun (-s) Usage: see -er Etymology: Middle English meter, metre, from Old English & Middle French; Old English mēter, from Latin metrum, from Greek metron meter, measure; Middle French metre, from Old French, from Latin metrum — more at measure 1. a. : systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse < the only strict antithesis to prose is meter — William Wordsworth > (1) : rhythm that continuously repeats a single basic pattern or rhythmic system < iambic meter > < dactylic meter > — compare cadence (2) : rhythm characterized by the regular recurrence of a systematic arrangement of such basic patterns or systems into larger figures < a verse with sapphic meter > b. : a measure or unit of metrical verse : metron — usually used in combination < dimeter > < pentameter > — compare foot c. : a fixed metrical pattern : verse form < the heroic couplet was a favorite meter of the neoclassic poets > d. archaic : a metrical composition : verse < a pebble of the brook warbled out these meters meet — William Blake > e. : rhythm in verse 2. a. : the part of rhythmical structure concerned with the division of a musical composition into measures by means of regularly recurring accents with each measure consisting of a uniform number of beats or time units the first of which has the strongest accent b. : the distribution of long and short notes or tones within measures : time Synonyms: see rhythm II. verb (metered ; metered ; metering \-əriŋ also ˈmē.triŋ\ ; meters) Usage: see -er Etymology: Middle English metren, from metre, meter, n. intransitive verb : to engage in poetic composition : versify transitive verb 1. : to put into meter : give metrical form to 2. : to analyze metrically : scan < expansion of the liquid after it is metered — E.E.Reed > III. noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from meten to mete, measure + -er — more at mete : one that measures; especially : an official measurer of commodities IV. noun (-s) Usage: see -er Etymology: French mètre, from Greek metron measure : the basic metric unit of length that is equal to the distance between two lines on a platinum-iridium bar kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures near Paris, is approximately equal to 39.37 inches, and is equal to 1,650,763.73 wavelengths of the orange-red light of excited krypton of mass number 86 — see metric system table V. noun (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: -meter 1. a. : an instrument for measuring and recording the amount of something (as water, gas, electricity) as it flows b. : a device (as a valve in a carburetor) that regulates the flow of a fluid 2. a. : an instrument for measuring and usually recording distance, time, weight, speed, or intensity b. : an instrument for measuring and recording the amount of a commodity or service consumed: as (1) : parking meter (2) : postage meter 3. a. : the impression made by a postage meter on a piece of mail b. : a philatelic cover bearing such an impression VI. verb (metered ; metered ; metering \-əriŋ also ˈmē.triŋ\ ; meters) transitive verb 1. : to measure by means of a meter < water … is metered and charged for — Tom Marvel > 2. : to supply (fuel, oil, or other fluid) in a measured or regulated amount < fuel is then metered to the engine by the idle adjusting needle — H.F.Blanchard & Ralph Ritchen > 3. a. : to print postal indicia on by means of a postage meter b. : to imprint a revenue stamp on by means of a machine similar to a postage meter intransitive verb : to meter a fluid (as fuel or oil) < the drilled opening in the metering jet controls the amount of fuel that can pass through the main fuel supply system — William Landon > < a metering pump for molasses > |