Measurement (Idea) 3/3

Defined

meas·ure (mzhr)

n.

1. Dimensions, quantity, or capacity as ascertained by comparison with a standard.

2. A reference standard or sample used for the quantitative comparison of properties: The standard kilogram is maintained as a measure of mass.

3. A unit specified by a scale, such as an inch, or by variable conditions, such as a day's march.

4. A system of measurement, such as the metric system.

5. A device used for measuring.

6. The act of measuring.

7. An evaluation or a basis of comparison: "the final measure of the worth of a society" (Joseph Wood Krutch). See Synonyms at standard.

8. Extent or degree: The problem was in large measure caused by his carelessness.

9. A definite quantity that has been measured out: a measure of wine.

10. A fitting amount: a measure of recognition.

11. A limited amount or degree: a measure of good-will.

12. Limit; bounds: generosity knowing no measure.

13. Appropriate restraint; moderation: "The union of . . . fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal" (William James).

14. An action taken as a means to an end; an expedient. Often used in the plural: desperate measures.

15. A legislative bill or enactment.

16. Poetic meter.

17. Music The metric unit between two bars on the staff; a bar.

v. meas·ured, meas·ur·ing, meas·ures

v.tr.

1. To ascertain the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of: measured the height of the ceiling.

2. To mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring: measure off an area.

3. To estimate by evaluation or comparison: "I gave them an account . . . of the situation as far as I could measure it" (Winston S. Churchill).

4. To bring into comparison: She measured her power with that of a dangerous adversary.

5.

a. To mark off or apportion, usually with reference to a given unit of measurement: measure out a pint of milk.

b. To allot or distribute as if by measuring; mete: The revolutionary tribunal measured out harsh justice.

6. To serve as a measure of: The inch measures length.

7. To consider or choose with care; weigh: He measures his words with caution.

8. Archaic To travel over: "We must measure twenty miles today" (Shakespeare).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.


Quotations


"But, let them measure us by what they will,
We'll measure them a measure, and be gone."

-Shakespeare

"The sempstresses took my measure as I lay on the ground, one standing at my neck, and another at my mid-leg, with a strong cord extended, that each held by the end, while a third measured the length of the cord with a rule of an inch long."

Smith, Jonathan. "Jonathan Swift: Gulliver's Travels: CHAPTER VI. - Free Online Library." Jonathan Swift - Free Online Library. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. .

Annotated Bibliography

Weinfield, Henry. "Is there a measure on earth?": Holderlin's poem "In Lovely Blueness" in light of Heidegger's essay "... Poetically Man Dwells....". Free Online Library. Web. 07 Mar. 2011.

This article analyzes the uses of measurement and interprets how measurement pertains to poetry. The article first contemplates the different settings in which the term "measurement" is applied. (Mathematics, legislation, music, etc.) Then, the author describes the similarities poetry shares with mathematics and legislation and, more overtly, music. Examples of poets who wrote on such topics portrayed the concept measurement within the subject of the poem, as well as in the form of the medium. These poets questioned humanity in relation to God, in terms of measurement of some inherent quality.


Relates

The concept of measurement applies to the work I am doing now with video. The first video visually portrays measurement in multiple contexts: physical measurement of the subject, measurement of time, and measurement of behavior of the subject. I am really interested in tools used to measure subjects and the inherent qualities these tools may share. For example, in the first video, the analog Gralab timer was measuring the subject in a very determined and powerful way. However, the second-hand was not always consistent, and tended to jerk a bit. The buzzer at the end was very jerky. The flaws in the subject being measured by a seemingly flawed device is very interesting to me. If the next screen depicted a digital timer measuring the analog's glitches somehow, what would measure the digital timer's dependence on the technological "grid?" Researching other definitions and methods for measurement as helped me think about the next video I will make.