Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - measure

~1 n 1 »OFFICIAL ACTION« an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem  (Stronger measures are needed to combat crime.) 2 half measures things done to deal with a difficult situation that are not effective or firm enough  (This was no time for half measures and compromises.) 3 »A CERTAIN AMOUNT« a measure of success/agreement/freedom etc a certain amount of a good or useful quality  (new legislation giving women a measure of economic independence) 4 »UNIT OF MEASUREMENT« an amount or unit in a measuring system  (A centimetre is a measure of length. | a table of weights and measures) 5 a measure of alcohol/whisky/etc a standard amount of an alcoholic drink 6 »SIGN/PROOF« be a measure of sth formal to be a sign of the importance, strength etc of something  (It is a measure of his popularity that he was able to travel around without a bodyguard.) 7 »WAY OF JUDGING STH« a measure of a way of testing or judging something  (Exams are not necessarily the best measure of students' abilities.) 8 beyond measure formal very great or very much  (The pride he felt was beyond measure. | Her work has improved beyond measure.) 9 for good measure in addition to what you have already done or given  (She tasted the mixture and added another glass of brandy for good measure.) 10 in large measure/in some measure to a great degree or to some degree  (The improvements are due in large measure to his leadership.) 11 in full measure if someone gives something back in full measure, they give back as much as they received  (They returned our hospitality in full measure..) 12 the full measure of formal the whole of something  (Ralph received the full measure of his mother's devotion.) 13 get the measure of sb/take sb's measure to form a judgment of someone's abilities or character, so that you are able to deal with them or defeat them  (She soon got the measure of her opponent.) 14 »THING USED FOR MEASURING« something such as a piece of wood or a container used for measuring  (- see also tape measure) 15 »SYSTEM FOR MEASURING« a system for measuring amount, size, or weight  (liquid measure.) 16 »MUSIC« AmE one of a group of notes and rests (rest1 (12)), separated by vertical1 (1) lines, into which a line of written music is divided  (- see also made­to­measure, give sb short measure short1 (14)) ~2 v 1 to find the size, length, or amount of something using standard units  (Could you measure the height of the wall for me? | The rainfall was measured over a three-month period. | measure sb for sth (=measure someone in order to make clothes for them))  (She was being measured for her wedding dress.) 2 to judge the importance, value, or true nature of something  (What criteria can we use to measure women's progress in the workforce? | measure sth by sth)  (Education shouldn't be measured purely by examination results.) 3 linking verb to be a particular size, length, or amount  (That old tree must measure at least 30 metres from top to bottom. | an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale) 4 to show or record a particular kind of measurement  (an instrument for measuring tiny amounts of electrical current) 5 measure your length old use to fall down flat on the ground measure sb/sth against phr v to judge someone or something by comparing them with another person or thing  (When measured against the work of a professional, her efforts look unimpressive.) measure sth off phr v to measure a length of material and cut it from a larger piece  (The assistant measured off enough fabric for three dresses.) measure sth out phr v to take a certain amount of liquid, powder etc from a larger amount  (Measure out 100 grams of flour.) measure up phr v 1 to be good enough to do a particular job or to reach a particular standard  (How will the Secretary General measure up to his new responsibilities? | We'll give you a week's trial in the job to see how you measure up.) 2 to measure something  (I'd better measure up before I start laying the carpet.)