measuring

meas·ure  (mzhr) n. 1. Dimensions, quantity, or capacity as ascertained by comparison with a standard. 2. A reference standard or sample used for the quantitative comparison of properties: The standard kilogram is maintained as a measure of mass. 3. A unit specified by a scale, such as an inch, or by variable conditions, such as a day's march. 4. A system of measurement, such as the metric system. 5. A device used for measuring. 6. The act of measuring. 7. An evaluation or a basis of comparison: "the final measure of the worth of a society" Joseph Wood Krutch. See Synonyms at standard. 8. Extent or degree: The problem was in large measure caused by his carelessness. 9. A definite quantity that has been measured out: a measure of wine. 10. A fitting amount: a measure of recognition. 11. A limited amount or degree: a measure of good-will. 12. Limit; bounds: generosity knowing no measure. 13. Appropriate restraint; moderation: "The union of . . . fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal" William James. 14. An action taken as a means to an end; an expedient. Often used in the plural: desperate measures. 15. A legislative bill or enactment. 16. Poetic meter. 17. Music The metric unit between two bars on the staff; a bar. v. meas·ured, meas·ur·ing, meas·ures v.tr. 1. To ascertain the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of: measured the height of the ceiling. 2. To mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring: measure off an area. 3. To estimate by evaluation or comparison: "I gave them an account . . . of the situation as far as I could measure it" Winston S. Churchill. 4. To bring into comparison: She measured her power with that of a dangerous adversary. 5. a. To mark off or apportion, usually with reference to a given unit of measurement: measure out a pint of milk. b. To allot or distribute as if by measuring; mete: The revolutionary tribunal measured out harsh justice. 6. To serve as a measure of: The inch measures length. 7. To consider or choose with care; weigh: He measures his words with caution. 8. Archaic To travel over: "We must measure twenty miles today" Shakespeare. v.intr. 1. To have a measurement of: The room measures 12 by 20 feet. 2. To take a measurement. 3. To allow of measurement: White sugar measures more easily than brown. Phrasal Verb: measure up 1. To be the equal of something; have similar quality. 2. To have the necessary qualifications: a candidate who just didn't measure up. Idioms: beyond measure 1. In excess. 2. Without limit. for good measure In addition to the required amount. in a/some measure To a degree: The new law was in a measure harmful. [Middle English, from Old French mesure, from Latin mnsra, from mnsus, past participle of mtr, to measure; see m-2 in Indo-European roots.] measur·er n.

measure from "Roses of the South," a waltz by Johann Strauss the Younger

---

measuring

Adjective

used to measure quantities, esp. in cooking: a measuring jug

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

measuring - the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule; "the measurements were carefully done"; "his mental measurings proved remarkably accurate" measurement, mensuration, measure activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" 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 hypsometry, hypsography - 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; "he has a job meter reading for the gas company" 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; "he studied surveying at college" 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