Search

a unit or standard of measurement:
weights and measures.
a system of measurement:
liquid measure.
an instrument, as a graduated rod or a container of standard capacity, for measuring.
the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something, ascertained especially by comparison with a standard:
to take the measure of a thing.
the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something; measurement.
a definite or known quantity measured out:
to drink a measure of wine.
any standard of comparison, estimation, or judgment.
a quantity, degree, or proportion:
in large measure.
a moderate amount:
to live with a measure of enjoyment.
a limit, or an extent or degree not to be exceeded:
to know no measure.
reasonable bounds or limits:
to know no measure.
a legislative bill or enactment:
The senate passed the new measure.
Usually, measures. actions or procedures intended as a means to an end:
to take measures to avert suspicion.
a short rhythmical movement or arrangement, as in poetry or music.
Compare meter2 (def 1b).
a particular kind of such arrangement.
a metrical unit.
Music.

the music contained between two bar lines; bar.
an air or melody.
a slow, dignified dance.

Printing. the width, measured in ems or picas, to which a column or page of printed matter is set.
measures, Geology. beds; strata.
Mathematics. an abstraction of the property of length; a set function assigning to each set of a collection of sets a value, usually having the properties of sigma finiteness and fnite additivity, the functional value of the whole collection being greater than zero.
to ascertain the extent, dimensions, quantity, capacity, etc., of, especially by comparison with a standard:
to measure boundaries.
to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often followed by off or out):
to measure out two cups of flour.
to estimate the relative amount, value, etc., of, by comparison with some standard:
to measure the importance of an issue.
to judge or appraise by comparison with something or someone else:
to measure Corneille against Racine.
to serve as the measure of:
Her sacrifices measure the degree of her love.
to adjust or proportion:
to measure a portion to one’s liking.
to bring into comparison or competition:
to measure one’s strength with another’s.
to travel over; traverse:
to measure a room with great strides.
to take measurements.
to admit of measurement.
to be of a specified measure.
measure up,

to reach a certain standard:
The exhibition didn’t measure up to last year’s.
to be capable or qualified:
As an administrator, he couldn’t quite measure up.

beyond measure, too much to be reckoned; immeasurably; extremely:
The suffering that they endured was beyond measure.
for good measure, as an extra:
In addition to dessert, they served chocolates for good measure.
have / take someone’s measure, to judge or assess someone’s character, capabilities, etc.; size up:
During their conversation she was taking his measure as a prospective employee.
in a / some measure, to some extent or degree:
His conclusion is justified in some measure.
measure one’s length, to fall or be knocked down; fall flat:
He missed a step in the dark and measured his length at the bottom.
measure swords,

to test one’s preparedness for a contest or encounter.
to battle with swords.
to fight, compete, etc.:
The producer of the poorly reviewed show decided to measure swords with the critics.

Contemporary Examples

The Victory Speech Barack Obama November 4, 2008

Historical Examples

Pretty Geraldine, the New York Salesgirl Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller
A Modern Idyll Frank Harris
Vagabondia Frances Hodgson Burnett
Lady Susan Jane Austen
An Engagement of Convenience Louis Zangwill
The Black Bag Louis Joseph Vance
The Blue Pavilions Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
A Comedy of Marriage and Other Tales Guy De Maupassant
“Le Monsieur De La Petite Dame” Frances Hodgson Burnett

noun
the extent, quantity, amount, or degree of something, as determined by measurement or calculation
a device for measuring distance, volume, etc, such as a graduated scale or container
a system of measurement: give the size in metric measure
a standard used in a system of measurements: the international prototype kilogram is the measure of mass in SI units
a specific or standard amount of something: a measure of grain, short measure, full measure
a basis or standard for comparison: his work was the measure of all subsequent attempts
reasonable or permissible limit or bounds: we must keep it within measure
degree or extent (often in phrases such as in some measure, in a measure, etc): they gave him a measure of freedom
(often pl) a particular action intended to achieve an effect: they took measures to prevent his leaving
a legislative bill, act, or resolution: to bring in a measure
(music) another word for bar1 (sense 15a)
(prosody) poetic rhythm or cadence; metre
a metrical foot
(poetic) a melody or tune
the act of measuring; measurement
(archaic) a dance
(printing) the width of a page or column of type
for good measure, as an extra precaution or beyond requirements
get the measure of someone, get someone’s measure, to assess the nature, character, quality, etc, of someone
made to measure, (of clothes) made to fit an individual purchaser
verb
(transitive) often foll by up. to determine the size, amount, etc, of by measurement
(intransitive) to make a measurement or measurements
(transitive) to estimate or determine: I measured his strength to be greater than mine
(transitive) to function as a measurement of: the ohm measures electrical resistance
(transitive) to bring into competition or conflict: he measured his strength against that of his opponent
(intransitive) to be as specified in extent, amount, etc: the room measures six feet
(transitive) to travel or move over as if measuring
(transitive) to adjust or choose: he measured his approach to suit the character of his client
(intransitive) to allow or yield to measurement
v.
n.

v. meas·ured, meas·ur·ing, meas·ures

To an extreme degree; exceedingly. For example, Her attitude annoys me beyond measure. This term was first recorded in 1526.
In addition to the idiom beginning with
measure