MEASE, m[=e]s, or m[=e]z, _n_. a tale of 500 herrings.
MEASLES, m[=e]'zlz, _n.sing._ a contagious fever accompanied with eruptions
of small red spots upon the skin: a disease of swine and cattle, caused by
larval tapeworms: a disease of trees, the leaves being covered with
spots.--_adjs_. MEA'SLED, MEA'SLY, infected with measles: good for nothing,
miserable.--_n_. MEAS'LINESS.--GERMAN MEASLES, a name somewhat loosely used
of a disease, resembling measles, but mostly less prolonged and severe.
[Dut. _maselen_, measles, from Old Dut. _masche_, a spot, cog. with Old
High Ger. _m[=a]s[=a]_, a spot; Ger. _masern_, measles.]
MEASURE, mezh'[=u]r, _n_. that by which extent is ascertained or expressed:
the size of anything: a rule or standard by which anything is adjusted
(_Apothecaries'_, _Cubic_, _Decimal_, _Dry_, _Liquid_, &c.): (_politics_) a
proposal or plan by which some end can be brought about: proportion: a
stated quantity: degree: extent: moderation: means to an end: metre:
(_mus_.) that division of time, containing a specified number of beats, by
which the air and motion of music are regulated: rate of movement, time,
rhythm, metre, arrangement of syllables in poetry: a slow and stately
dance, as the minuet: (_print_.) the width of a page or column, usually in
_ems_: (_pl_., _geol_.) a series of beds or strata.--_v.t._ to ascertain
the dimensions of: to adjust by a rule or standard: to mark out: to allot:
to show a certain measurement.--_v.i._ to be of a certain size: to be equal
or uniform.--_adj_. MEAS'URABLE, that may be measured or computed:
moderate: in small quantity or extent.--_n._ MEAS'URABLENESS, the quality
of being measurable.--_adv._ MEAS'URABLY.--_adjs._ MEAS'URED, of a certain
measure: equal: uniform: steady: restricted; MEAS'URELESS, boundless:
immense.--_ns._ MEAS'UREMENT, the act of measuring: quantity found by
measuring--(MEASUREMENT GOODS, light goods carried for charges according to
bulk, not weight); MEAS'URER, one who, or that which, measures.--_adj._
MEAS'URING, that measures, or fitted for measuring.--MEASURE ONE'S LENGTH,
to fall or be thrown down at full length; MEASURE STRENGTH, to engage in a
contest; MEASURE SWORDS, to fight with swords: to try one's skill
against.--ABOVE, or BEYOND, MEASURE, to an exceedingly great degree; IN A
MEASURE, to some degree.--TAKE MEASURES, to adopt means (to gain an end);
TAKE ONE'S MEASURE, to find out what one is, and what he can or cannot do;
TREAD A MEASURE, to dance; USE HARD MEASURES, to apply harsh treatment to;
WITHIN MEASURE, moderately; WITHOUT MEASURE, immoderately. [O. Fr.
_mesure_--L. _mensura_, a measure--_met[=i]ri_, to measure.]
MEAT, m[=e]t, _n._ anything eaten as food, the edible part of anything: act
of taking meat: (_obs._) meal, flour: the flesh of animals used as
food--sometimes beef, mutton, pork, veal, &c., as opposed to poultry, fish,
&c.--_ns._ MEAT'-BIS'CUIT, a preparation of meat, made with meal into a
biscuit; MEAT'INESS, quality of being meaty; MEAT'-OFF'ERING, a Jewish
sacrificial offering of fine flour or first-fruits with oil and
frankincense; MEAT'-PIE, a pie mainly made up of meat; MEAT'-SAFE, a
receptacle for storing meat, walled with perforated zinc or gauze;
MEAT'-SALES'MAN, one who sells meat, esp. to the retail butchers;
MEAT'-TEA, a high tea, at which meat is served; MEAT'-TUB, a
pickling-tub.--_adj._ MEAT'Y, full of meat: fleshy: pithy.--HANG MEAT, to
hang up meat before cooking; SIT AT MEAT, to sit at table. [A.S. _mete_;
Dut. _met_.]
MEATH, MEATHE, m[=e]th, _n._ a form of _mead_, liquor.
MEATUS, m[=e]-[=a]'tus, _n._ a passage or canal, as the urethral
meatus.--_adj._ ME[=A]'TAL.--_n._ MEAT'OSCOPE, an instrument for examining
the urethral or other meatus. [L. _me[=a]tus_--_me[=a]re_, to go.]