Library / English Dictionary

MEASURE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

How much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

Synonyms:

amount; measure; quantity

Classified under:

Nouns with no superordinates

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

abstract entity; abstraction (a general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples)

Attribute:

standard (conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind)

nonstandard (varying from or not adhering to a standard)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

chance; probability (a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible)

quantum ((physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory))

economic value; value (the amount (of money or goods or services) that is considered to be a fair equivalent for something else)

fundamental measure; fundamental quantity (one of the four quantities that are the basis of systems of measurement)

definite quantity (a specific measure of amount)

indefinite quantity (an estimated quantity)

relative quantity (a quantity relative to some purpose)

metric; system of measurement (a system of related measures that facilitates the quantification of some particular characteristic)

cordage (the amount of wood in an area as measured in cords)

octane number; octane rating (a measure of the antiknock properties of gasoline)

magnetisation; magnetization (the extent or degree to which something is magnetized)

radical ((mathematics) a quantity expressed as the root of another quantity)

volume (the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object)

volume (a relative amount)

proof (a measure of alcoholic strength expressed as an integer twice the percentage of alcohol present (by volume))

time unit; unit of time (a unit for measuring time periods)

point; point in time (an instant of time)

period of play; play; playing period ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds)

interval; time interval (a definite length of time marked off by two instants)

Derivation:

measure (express as a number or measure or quantity)

measure (determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of)

measure (evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

Example:

the police took steps to reduce crime

Synonyms:

measure; step

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

maneuver; manoeuvre; tactical maneuver; tactical manoeuvre (a move made to gain a tactical end)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

countermeasure (an action taken to offset another action)

porcupine provision; shark repellent (a measure undertaken by a corporation to discourage unwanted takeover attempts)

guard; precaution; safeguard (a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule

Example:

his mental measurings proved remarkably accurate

Synonyms:

measure; measurement; measuring; mensuration

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

seismography (the measurement of tremors and shocks and undulatory movements of earthquakes)

quantitative analysis; quantitative chemical analysis (chemical analysis to determine the amounts of each element in the substance)

actinometry (measuring the intensity of electromagnetic radiation (especially of the sun's rays))

algometry (measuring sensitivity to pain or pressure)

anemography (recording anemometrical measurements)

anemometry (measuring wind speed and direction)

angulation (the precise measurement of angles)

anthropometry (measurement and study of the human body and its parts and capacities)

arterial blood gases (measurement of the pH level and the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in arterial blood; important in diagnosis of many respiratory diseases)

audiometry (measuring sensitivity of hearing)

bathymetry; plumbing (measuring the depths of the oceans)

calorimetry (measurement of quantities of heat)

cephalometry (measurement of human heads)

densitometry (measuring the optical density of a substance by shining light on it and measuring its transmission)

dosimetry (measuring the dose of radiation emitted by a radioactive source)

fetometry; foetometry (measurement of a fetus (especially the diameter of the head))

gravimetry; hydrometry (the measurement of specific gravity)

hypsography; hypsometry (measurement of the elevation of land above sea level)

mental measurement (a generic term used to cover any application of measurement techniques to the quantification of mental functions)

micrometry (measuring with a micrometer)

observation (the act of making and recording a measurement)

pelvimetry (measurement of the dimensions of the bony birth canal (to determine whether vaginal birth is possible))

photometry (measurement of the properties of light (especially luminous intensity))

quantification (the act of discovering or expressing the quantity of something)

radioactive dating (measurement of the amount of radioactive material (usually carbon 14) that an object contains; can be used to estimate the age of the object)

meter reading; reading (the act of measuring with meters or similar instruments)

sampling (measurement at regular intervals of the amplitude of a varying waveform (in order to convert it to digital form))

sounding (the act of measuring depth of water (usually with a sounding line))

sound ranging (locating a source of sound (as an enemy gun) by measurements of the time the sound arrives at microphones in known positions)

scaling (act of measuring or arranging or adjusting according to a scale)

spirometry (the use of a spirometer to measure vital capacity)

surveying (the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map)

telemetry (automatic transmission and measurement of data from remote sources by wire or radio or other means)

thermometry (the measurement of temperature)

thermogravimetry (the measurement of changes in weight as a function of changes in temperature used as a technique of chemically analyzing substances)

tonometry (the measurement of intraocular pressure by determining the amount of force needed to make a slight indentation in the cornea)

viscometry; viscosimetry (the measurement of viscosity)

Derivation:

measure (express as a number or measure or quantity)

measure (determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of)

measure (evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of)

measure (have certain dimensions)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A container of some standard capacity that is used to obtain fixed amounts of a substance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

container (any object that can be used to hold things (especially a large metal boxlike object of standardized dimensions that can be loaded from one form of transport to another))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

measuring cup (graduated cup used to measure liquid or granular ingredients)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements

Synonyms:

measure; measuring rod; measuring stick

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

measuring device; measuring instrument; measuring system (instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

board rule (a measure used in computing board feet)

rule; ruler (measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths)

size stick (a mechanical measuring stick used by shoe fitters to measure the length and width of your foot)

Derivation:

measure (express as a number or measure or quantity)

measure (determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of)

measure (evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of)

measure (have certain dimensions)

Sense 6

Meaning:

A statute in draft before it becomes law

Example:

they held a public hearing on the bill

Synonyms:

bill; measure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

instrument; legal document; legal instrument; official document ((law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right)

Meronyms (parts of "measure"):

rider (a clause that is appended to a legislative bill)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

appropriation bill (a legislative act proposing to authorize the expenditure of public funds for a specified purpose)

bill of attainder (a legislative act finding a person guilty of treason or felony without a trial)

bottle bill (a statute that would require merchants to reclaim used bottles)

farm bill (a statute that would regulate farm production and prices)

trade bill (a statute that would regulate foreign trade)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats

Example:

the orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song

Synonyms:

bar; measure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

musical notation ((music) notation used by musicians)

Sense 8

Meaning:

(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse

Synonyms:

beat; cadence; measure; meter; metre

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

poetic rhythm; prosody; rhythmic pattern ((prosody) a system of versification)

Domain category:

metrics; prosody (the study of poetic meter and the art of versification)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

catalexis (the absence of a syllable in the last foot of a line or verse)

scansion (analysis of verse into metrical patterns)

common measure; common meter (the usual (iambic) meter of a ballad)

foot; metrical foot; metrical unit ((prosody) a group of 2 or 3 syllables forming the basic unit of poetic rhythm)

Sense 9

Meaning:

A basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated

Example:

they set the measure for all subsequent work

Synonyms:

criterion; measure; standard; touchstone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("measure" is a kind of...):

metric; system of measurement (a system of related measures that facilitates the quantification of some particular characteristic)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "measure"):

benchmark (a standard by which something can be measured or judged)

earned run average; ERA ((baseball) a measure of a pitcher's effectiveness; calculated as the average number of earned runs allowed by the pitcher for every nine innings pitched)

GPA; grade point average (a measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted)

procrustean bed; procrustean rule; procrustean standard (a standard that is enforced uniformly without regard to individuality)

yardstick (a measure or standard used for comparison)

medium of exchange; monetary system (anything that is generally accepted as a standard of value and a measure of wealth in a particular country or region)

graduated table; ordered series; scale; scale of measurement (an ordered reference standard)

gauge; standard of measurement (accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or quality against which others are judged or measured or compared)

baseline (an imaginary line or standard by which things are measured or compared)

norm (a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Express as a number or measure or quantity

Example:

Can you quantify your results?

Synonyms:

measure; quantify

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "measure" is one way to...):

carry; convey; express (serve as a means for expressing something)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "measure"):

gauge (measure precisely and against a standard)

scale (measure with or as if with scales)

meter (measure with a meter)

pace; step (measure (distances) by pacing)

clock; time (measure the time or duration of an event or action or the person who performs an action in a certain period of time)

fathom; sound (measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line)

titrate (measure by (the volume or concentration of solutions) by titration)

plumb (measure the depth of something)

librate; weigh (determine the weight of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

measurement (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

measure (measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements)

measure (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

measure (how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify)

measurable (capable of being measured)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of

Example:

Measure the length of the wall

Synonyms:

measure; measure out; mensurate

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "measure" is one way to...):

decide; determine; make up one's mind (reach, make, or come to a decision about something)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "measure"):

shoot (measure the altitude of by using a sextant)

triangulate (measure by using trigonometry)

caliper; calliper (measure the diameter of something with calipers)

calibrate (measure the caliber of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

measurable (capable of being measured)

measure (how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify)

measure (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

measure (measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements)

measurement (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

measurer (a person who makes measurements)

measuring (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of

Example:

access all the factors when taking a risk

Synonyms:

appraise; assess; evaluate; measure; valuate; value

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "measure" is one way to...):

evaluate; judge; pass judgment (form a critical opinion of)

Verb group:

assess (estimate the value of (property) for taxation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "measure"):

grade; mark; score (assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation)

rate; value (estimate the value of)

standardise; standardize (evaluate by comparing with a standard)

reassess; reevaluate (revise or renew one's assessment)

censor (subject to political, religious, or moral censorship)

praise (express approval of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

measure (how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify)

measure (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

measure (measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Have certain dimensions

Example:

This table surfaces measures 20inches by 36 inches

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "measure" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "measure"):

stand (be tall; have a height of; copula)

weigh (have a certain weight)

endure; last (persist for a specified period of time)

scale (measure by or as if by a scale)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Also:

measure up (prove capable or fit; meet requirements)

Derivation:

measure (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

measure (measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements)

Credits

 Context examples: 

—er—quarrelsome, and harsh measures are necessary.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The Microarray Shared Resource supports Cancer Center research activity performing gene expression profiling in which the activity of many thousands of genes is measured simultaneously.

(Microarray Shared Resource, NCI Thesaurus)

A unit used for measuring substance concentration or/and activity as defined in the literature reference standard for the particular assay method.

(Assay Unit, NCI Thesaurus)

A laboratory test to find and measure the amount of a specific substance.

(Assay, NCI Dictionary)

She proposed it to him accordingly; but he did not catch at the measure so eagerly as she had expected.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

A unit of antibody concentration measured by comparison against a known concentration of antibodies in a standard reference specimen.

(Antibody Unit, NCI Thesaurus)

Satisfying an established set of qualifying measures.

(Acceptable, NCI Thesaurus)

An instrument used for measuring a change in velocity.

(Accelerometer, NCI Thesaurus)

Peggotty was quietly assisting, with the old insensible work-box, yard-measure, and bit of wax-candle before her, that had now outlived so much.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

These variable findings may be because some studies used self-reported dietary information rather than directly measuring omega-3 levels.

(Omega-3s linked with lower risk of fatal heart attacks, NIH)