mete Hear it!

mete¹ Definition

mete (mēt)

transitive verb met′ed, met′·ing

  1. to allot; distribute; apportion: usually with out
  2. Archaic to measure

Etymology: ME meten < OE metan, akin to Ger messen < IE *med- (> L modus, Gr metron) < base *me-, to mark off, measure

mete² Definition

mete (mēt)

noun

  1. a boundary; limit
  2. a boundary mark or line

Etymology: OFr < L meta, boundary, goal < IE *meit- (var. of *mei-), post, stake > ON meithr, a tree, MIr methos, boundary mark

mete Synonyms

mete

v.

allot, measure out, dispense, administer; see distribute 1, give 1.

mete Usage Examples

Object

  • punishment: Set free from a punishment meted out for our attempts to put fire in the hands of the common man.
  • injustice: She decides to fight this injustice meted out to her.
  • sentence: There are vivid accounts of harsh sentences meted out for crimes that today would warrant no more than a caution.
  • violence: Everyday I see casual violence meted out on recalcitrant toddlers.
  • repression: Despite the brutal repression often meted out to them, the demand for independent states grew.

Preposition: out

  • punishment: Thus, the gods - in typical Greek fashion - meted out punishment to fit the crime.
  • justice: During the session I watched, Workman meted out this instant justice on two or more occasions.

Noun used with modifier

  • ye: For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again " .
  • measure: Help is good in all places, and " with what measure ye mete, it shall be meted unto you again.

Modifying Another Word

  • often: Despite the brutal repression often meted out to them, the demand for independent states grew.
  • out: However, the draconian punishment meted out had a profound effect on the working class.
  • routinely: Not only is the death penalty used against children, it is also routinely meted out for entirely trivial offenses.
  • currently: The new website aims to bring much greater awareness about the violence currently meted out to children and young people who have no voice.
  • ever: In 2001, Helen John was sentenced to three months in prison, possibly the harshest sentence ever meted out to a peaceful protester.
  • still: Ms Strange, 45, is still meting out advice and punishment to children who have got into trouble.

Particle object:

  • punishment: Put greater emphasis on encouraging a change in lifestyle rather than meting out punishment.
  • justice: Angelo begins meting out justice according to the letter of the law.
  • treatment: In other words he is saying to the disciples: you don't have to wait any longer to mete out appropriate treatment.
  • reward: We will run the government strictly and mete out reward or punishment on clear grounds.