Definition of measure

• n. - A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
• n. - An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.
• n. - The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.
• n. - The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount.
• n. - Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.
• n. - Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion.
• n. - The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
• n. - Undefined quantity; extent; degree.
• n. - Regulated division of movement
• n. - A regulated movement corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is performed; but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the minuet.
• n. - The group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats.
• n. - The space between two bars.
• a. - The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.
• a. - A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers.
• a. - A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure.
• a. - The act of measuring; measurement.
• a. - Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures.
• n. - To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise.
• n. - To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.
• n. - To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance.
• n. - To adjust by a rule or standard.
• n. - To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; -- often with out or off.
• v. i. - To make a measurement or measurements.
• v. i. - To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
• v. i. - To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.