The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

measure \meas"ure\ (m[e^]zh"[-u]r; 135), n. [OE. mesure, F.
   mesure, L. mensura, fr. metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to
   metrum poetical measure, Gr. me`tron, E. meter. Cf.
   Immense, Mensuration, Mete to measure.]
   1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or
      extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or
      multiples of which anything is estimated and stated;
      hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is
      measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.
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            False ells and measures be brought all clean adown.
                                                  --R. of
                                                  Gloucester.
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   3. The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according
      to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated;
      estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.
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            The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and
            broader than the sea.                 --Job xi. 9.
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   4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a
      quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited
      quantity or amount.
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            It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in
            three measures of meal.               --Luke xiii.
                                                  21.
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   5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds;
      moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in
      measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.
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            Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth
            without measure.                      --Is. v. 14.
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   6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted
      share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due
      proportion.
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            Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of
            my days.                              --Ps. xxxix.
                                                  4.
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   7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying
      and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
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   8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree.
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            There is a great measure of discretion to be used in
            the performance of confession.        --Jer. Taylor.
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   9. Regulated division of movement:
      (a) (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the
          time in which the accompanying music is performed;
          but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the
          minuet.
      (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by
          the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2) The
          space between two bars. See Beat, Triple,
          Quadruple, Sextuple, Compound time, under
          Compound, a., and Figure.
      (c) (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the
          quantities, or long and short syllables; meter;
          rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.
          [1913 Webster]

   10. (Arith.) A number which is contained in a given number a
       number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases,
       the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of
       two or more numbers; a denominator. See common
       denominator under denominator.
       [1913 Webster +PJC]

   11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or
       policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the
       accomplishment of an object; as, political measures;
       prudent measures; an inefficient measure.
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             His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken
             in the conferring that trust, and lamented his
             error.                               --Clarendon.
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   12. The act of measuring; measurement. --Shak.
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   13. pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead
       measures.
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   linear measure, lineal measure, or long measure,
      measure of length; the measure of lines or distances.

   Liquid measure, the measure of liquids.

   Square measure, the measure of superficial area of surfaces
      in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc.

   To have hard measure, to have harsh treatment meted out to
      one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with.

   To take measures, to make preparations; to provide means.


   To take one's measure, to measure one, as for a garment;
      hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character,
      ability, etc.

   To tread a measure, to dance in the style so called. See 9
       (a) .
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                 Say to her, we have measured many miles
                 To tread a measure with her on this grass.
                                                  --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Measure \Meas"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Measured; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Measuring.] [F. mesurer, L. mensurare. See Measure,
   n.]
   1. To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute
      or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity
      of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions
      of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to
      appraise.
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            Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite
            Thy power! what thought can measure thee? --Milton.
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   2. To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures
      changes of temperature.
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   3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off
      and determining the distance.
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            A true devoted pilgrim is not weary
            To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps. --Shak.
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   4. To adjust by a rule or standard.
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            To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires
            by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires.
                                                  --Jer. Taylor.
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   5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by
      measure; -- often with out or off.
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            With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
            you again.                            --Matt. vii.
                                                  2.
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            That portion of eternity which is called time,
            measured out by the sun.              --Addison.
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   To measure swords with one, to try another's skill in the
      use of the sword; hence, figuratively, to match one's
      abilities against an antagonist's.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Measure \Meas"ure\, v. i.
   1. To make a measurement or measurements.
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   2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain
      measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
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   3. To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain
      length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity
      according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three
      fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

measure
    n 1: any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; "the
         situation called for strong measures"; "the police took
         steps to reduce crime" [syn: measure, step]
    2: how much there is or how many there are of something that you
       can quantify [syn: measure, quantity, amount]
    3: a statute in draft before it becomes law; "they held a public
       hearing on the bill" [syn: bill, measure]
    4: the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena
       according to a rule; "the measurements were carefully done";
       "his mental measurings proved remarkably accurate" [syn:
       measurement, measuring, measure, mensuration]
    5: a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other
       things can be evaluated; "the schools comply with federal
       standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work"
       [syn: standard, criterion, measure, touchstone]
    6: (prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse [syn:
       meter, metre, measure, beat, cadence]
    7: musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats;
       "the orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song"
       [syn: measure, bar]
    8: measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular
       intervals; used as a reference in making measurements [syn:
       measuring stick, measure, measuring rod]
    9: a container of some standard capacity that is used to obtain
       fixed amounts of a substance
    v 1: determine the measurements of something or somebody, take
         measurements of; "Measure the length of the wall" [syn:
         measure, mensurate, measure out]
    2: express as a number or measure or quantity; "Can you quantify
       your results?" [syn: quantify, measure]
    3: have certain dimensions; "This table surfaces measures
       20inches by 36 inches"
    4: evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or
       significance of; "I will have the family jewels appraised by
       a professional"; "access all the factors when taking a risk"
       [syn: measure, evaluate, valuate, assess, appraise,
       value]

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (19 January 2023):

measure

    To ascertain or appraise by comparing to a
   standard; to apply a metric.

   (1996-12-27)