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 esp. 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.

a particular kind of such arrangement.

the music contained between two bar lines; bar.

a metrical unit.

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, usu. 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, esp. by comparison with a standard

to measure boundaries.

to mark off or deal out by way of measurement (often fol. 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 or 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 or 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.

verb

measure