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meter

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The definition of meter is a pattern of beats, the basic linear measurement of the metric system, or a person or device that measures.

(noun)

An example of a meter is the basic rhythm of a song.
An example of a meter is 39.37 inches.
An example of a meter is a land surveyor who measures property boundaries.

Meter is defined as measure, or give a measured amount.

(verb)

An example of meter is measuring the size of a house lot.

See meter in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. rhythm in verse; measured, patterned arrangement of syllables, primarily according to stress or length
2. the specific rhythm as determined by the prevailing foot and the number of feet in the line: iambic meter
3. the specific rhythmic pattern of a stanza as determined by the kind and number of lines
the basic pattern of beats in successive measures of a piece of music: it is usually indicated in the time signature
Origin: Fr mètre: see -meter
the basic unit of linear measure in the metric system, equal to 39.3701 inches: now defined in the SI system as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second: abbrev. m

Origin: ME metre < OFr < L metrum < Gr metron, measure < IE base *mē-, to mark off, measure

noun

Origin: mete + -er
a person who measures; esp., an official who measures commodities
Origin: < words ending in -meter
1. an instrument or apparatus for measuring; esp., an apparatus for measuring and recording the quantity or rate of flow of gas, electricity, or water passing through it
2. ☆ postage meter
3. ☆ parking meter
4. taximeter

transitive verb

to measure or record with a meter or meters
to provide in measured quantities
☆ to process (mail) in a postage meter

a device for measuring (a specified thing): thermometer, barometer
a line of verse having (a specified number of) metrical feet: heptameter

Origin: Fr -mètre or ModL -metrum, both < Gr metron, a measure: see meter

See meter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The measured arrangement of words in poetry, as by accentual rhythm, syllabic quantity, or the number of syllables in a line.
b. A particular arrangement of words in poetry, such as iambic pentameter, determined by the kind and number of metrical units in a line.
c. The rhythmic pattern of a stanza, determined by the kind and number of lines.
Music
a. Division into measures or bars.
b. A specific rhythm determined by the number of beats and the time value assigned to each note in a measure.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English meter

Origin: and from Old French metre

Origin: , both from Latin metrum

Origin: , from Greek metron, measure, poetic meter; see mē-² in Indo-European roots

noun Abbr. m

The international standard unit of length, approximately equivalent to 39.37 inches. It was redefined in 1983 as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. See Table at measurement.

Origin:

Origin: French mètre

Origin: , from Greek metron, measure; see mē-² in Indo-European roots

noun

Any of various devices designed to measure time, distance, speed, or intensity or indicate and record or regulate the amount or volume, as of the flow of a gas or an electric current.
A postage meter.
A parking meter.

transitive verb me·tered, me·ter·ing, me·ters

To measure with a meter: meter a flow of water.
To supply in a measured or regulated amount: metered the allotted gasoline to each vehicle.
To imprint with postage or other revenue stamps by means of a postage meter or similar device: metering bulk mail.
To provide with a parking meter or parking meters: meter parking spaces.

Origin:

Origin: From -meter

suffix

Measuring device: anemometer.

Origin:

Origin: French -mètre

Origin: , from Greek metron, measure; see mē-² in Indo-European roots

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