measure

n.

1. A unit of measurement

   dimension, capacity, weight, volume, distance, degree, quantity, area, mass, frequency, density, viscosity, intensity, rapidity, speed, caliber, bulk, sum, duration, magnitude, amplitude, size, pitch, ratio, depth, scope, height, strength, breadth, amplification.

   Commonly used units of measure include --- linear: inch, foot, yard, rod, mile (U.S. Customary system); millimeter, centimeter, decimeter, meter, kilometer (metric system); volume: fluid dram, fluid ounce, gill, pint, quart, gallon (U.S. Customary system); milliliter, centiliter, deciliter, liter, kiloliter (metric system); weight: dram, ounce, pound (U.S. Customary system); milligram, centigram, decigram, gram, kilogram (metric system).

2. Units of measure and their abbreviations commonly used in medicine include: Celsius (C), cubic centimeter (cc), dram (dr), drop (gt), drops (gtt), Fahrenheit (F), fluid dram (fl dr), fluid ounce (fl oz), foot (ft), gram (gm), grain (gr), hour (hr), kilogram (kg), microgram (mcg), milligram (mg), milliliter (ml), millimeter (mm), minute (min), ounce (oz), pint (O), pound (lb), unit (U).

3. Anything used as a standard

   rule, test, trial, example, standard, gauge, benchmark, touchstone, yardstick, norm, canon, pattern, type, model; see also criterion.

4. A beat

   rhythm, tempo, time, step, throb, stroke, accent, meter, cadence, tune, melody, stress, vibration, division; see also beat 3.

5. A bill

   project, proposition, proposal; see bill 3.

6. A preventive or counteractive action

   agency, device, stratagem; see action 2, means 1.

beyond (<strong><em>or</em> </strong>above) measure

for good measure

in a measure

made to measure

take measures

take someone's measure*

measure

v.

1. To apply a standard of measurement

   rule, weigh, mark, lay off, lay out, grade, graduate, gauge, sound, pitch, beat, stroke, time, mete, mark off, pace off, plumb, scale, rank, even, level, gradate, shade, blend, rhyme, line, align, line out, regulate, portion, set a criterion, set a standard, average, equate, encircle, square, calibrate, block in, survey, telemeter, map; see also estimate 1, 2.

2. To contain by measurement

   hold, cover, contain; see include 1.