measure

Everyday

1. To measure is to find out the size, length, weight, time or amount of something with a tool, like a ruler, a tape, scales or a clock. tree →
2. «It measures 5 cm» tells how big something is. tree →
3. A measure is an amount or a unit for it, like a cup or a metre. tree →
4. A measure is also a step taken to do something: «safety measures». tree →
5. In music, a measure is one short part of a tune (a bar). tree →

In the lessons

finding a length, weight, time or volume; «measures 5 cm» gives a size; in science you measure in experiments and write the results with units; in cooking you measure cups and spoons; phrases «measure out», «measure up», «tape measure», «for good measure» (a little extra)

Examples

• The pencil measures 12 cm. tree →
• Measure the length of the table. tree →
• She measured 3 cups of flour. tree →
• The room measures 4 m by 5 m. tree →
• The nurse measured my height: 1 metre 32. tree →
• We measured the temperature of the water every hour. tree →
• The school took safety measures after the storm. tree →
• Add one more cookie for good measure. tree →
• They were measured and found to be correct. tree →

Note

«Measures X» states a size. «Measures 4 m by 5 m» gives length and width (area 20 square metres). Trap: «4 m by 5 m» names the two sides; multiply them only when the area is asked, add them twice for the perimeter. Always write the unit with a measurement. Noun «measurement» is the result you get.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, "measure" is often a fixed amount or container for goods, and honest weights and measures are a command. It can also mean a standard size, as for the tent curtains.

Interpretation. Jewish law forbids cheating with false weights and measures and calls it a serious wrong. The rabbis taught that a dishonest merchant offends God as well as his customer.

Examples

• Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. (Torah LEV.19.35, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt not have in thy house diverse measures, a great and a small. (Torah DEU.25.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the breadth of each curtain; the eleven curtains had one measure. (Torah EXO.36.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest? (Writings JOB.38.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed. (Prophets EZK.42.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And above were costly stones, after the measure of hewn stones, and cedar-wood. (Prophets 1KI.7.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Measures X» states a size. «Measures 4 m by 5 m» gives length and width (area 20 square metres). Trap: «4 m by 5 m» names the two sides; multiply them only when the area is asked, add them twice for the perimeter. Always write the unit with a measurement. Noun «measurement» is the result you get.