measure English · revision 4161

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=la mensura}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈmeʒ.ə/, US /ˈmeʒ.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The noun is [[inh|enm|mesure]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|mesure|t=limit, boundary; quantity, dimension; occasion, time]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|mēnsūra|t=a measuring, measurement; a thing to measure by]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from mēnsus, the past participle of [[m|la|mētīrī|t=to measure]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) with the suffix -ūra.^(MWU 2024) The verb is from Old French mesurer, from Late Latin mēnsūrāre “to measure”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Latin mētīrī is from [[ine-pro|*meh₁-|alt=*mē-|t=to measure]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) the source also of Greek métron “measure”, Sanskrit māti “he measures”, Lithuanian metas “year, time” and Old English mǣþ “measure”, which did not survive into Middle English.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The native verb is [[mete]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[dimension]], [[immense]] and [[meter]].^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Moderation, temperance”: about 1200 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) probably before 1200 in the Trinity Homilies according to Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An instrument for measuring is from about 1300,^(Etymonline) and size or quantity found by measuring from the early 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “The action of measuring”, a standard measure, and an allotted amount are from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) as are “proper proportion, balance” and, in music, an air or tune.^(Etymonline) A rhythmic pattern in poetry is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) a group of notes between two bar lines from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) Treatment “meted out” is from the 1590s,^(Etymonline) a plan of action to reach a goal from the 1690s,^(Etymonline) and a legislative enactment from 1759.^(Etymonline) The verb first meant “to moderate, restrain”, before 1300,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and “to find the extent or quantity of” from before 1340.^(OED 1989) ''To measure up'', to have the necessary abilities, is American, from 1910.^(Etymonline) ''For good measure'' comes from good measure, an ample quantity in goods sold by measure, of the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – moderation.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * a. 1300 – verb, to moderate.^(OED 1989)

+ * a. 1340 – verb, to find the size of.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – a musical air; good measure.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1690s – a course of action.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1759 – a legislative act.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1910 – ''measure up''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Size, quantity or capacity found by comparison with a standard.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A [[unit]] or standard of measurement, or an instrument for measuring.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An extent or degree: ''a measure of success''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An action taken to achieve a purpose: ''safety measures''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A law or bill.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In music, the notes between two bar lines; a [[bar]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Poetic [[metre]] or rhythm.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To find the size, quantity or capacity of.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To mark off or deal out by measuring.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To judge by comparison.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To have a given measurement: ''measures six feet''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[measurer]]

+ * [[measurability]]

+ * [[measurable]]

+ * [[measurably]]

+ * [[commeasure]]

+ * [[countermeasure]]

+ * [[made-to-measure]]

+ * [[measureless]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mete]]

+ * [[meter]]

+ * [[dimension]]

+ * [[immense]]

+ * [[commensurate]]

+ * [[measurement]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}