Topic: DRINK
 |
| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | mesure, from Latin mensura, from metiri 'to measure' |
| |||||||||
measure2 W3 [countable]
1 an action, especially an official one, that is intended to deal with a particular problem [= step]:
action
PG precautionary/preventative measure (=something done to stop something bad from happening) 
He was kept in hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.
He was kept in hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.2 things done to deal with a difficult situation that are not effective or firm enough : This was no time for half measures and compromises.
half measures
This was no time for half measures and compromises.3 be a sign of the importance, strength etc of something, or a way of testing or judging something : The flowers and tears at the funeral were a measure of the people's love for her.
sign/proof
be a measure of something
formalThe flowers and tears at the funeral were a measure of the people's love for her.4 an amount of something good or something that you want, for example success or freedom : The new law gives local governments a significant measure of control over their own finances. I met a number of sportsmen who had achieved a measure of success (=some success).
amount
a measure of something
The new law gives local governments a significant measure of control over their own finances.I met a number of sportsmen who had achieved a measure of success (=some success).5
unit of measurement
TMb) DFD a standard amount of an alcoholic drink
6 a lot or quite a lot - used when talking about the reason or cause of something :
in large measure/in some measure
7 used when the amount of one thing is the same as the amount of another thing : I was angry and embarrassed in equal measure.
in equal measure
I was angry and embarrassed in equal measure.8 in addition to what you have already done, given, or included : Why don't you try phoning them one more time, for good measure?
for good measure
Why don't you try phoning them one more time, for good measure?10 the whole of something : Ralph received the full measure of his mother's devotion.
the full measure of something
formalRalph received the full measure of his mother's devotion.11 if someone gives something back in full measure, they give back as much as they received : They returned our hospitality in full measure.
in full measure
formalThey returned our hospitality in full measure.12 to become familiar with something, so that you can control or deal with it
have/get the measure of something
13 to know what someone's strengths and weaknesses are, so that you are able to deal with them or defeat them : She soon got the measure of her opponent.
have/get the measure of somebody
British EnglishShe soon got the measure of her opponent.14 something used for measuring, for example a piece of wood or a container ➔ tape measure
thing used for measuring
TM15 a group of notes and rests, separated from other groups by vertical lines, into which a piece of music is divided [= bar British English]
music
➔ made-to-measure
