 |
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Inchworm \Inch"worm'\, noun (Zo["o]l.) The larva of any geometrid moth. It progresses forward by first bringing the rear end of the body forward, forming a loop, then moving the front part of the body; called also {measuring} worm, {measuringworm}, {spanner}, and {looper}. See {Geometrid}.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Measure \Meas"ure\, verb (used with an object) [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.
Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite Thy power! what thought can measure thee? --Milton.
2. To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.
3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance.
A true devoted pilgrim is not weary To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps. --Shak.
4. To adjust by a rule or standard.
To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires. --Jer. Taylor.
5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; -- often with out or off.
With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. --Matt. vii. 2.
That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun. --Addison.
{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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Measuring \Meas"ur*ing\, adjective Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by measure.
{Measuring faucet}, a faucet which permits only a given quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or one by means of which the liquid which passes can be measured.
{Measuring worm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of any geometrid moth. They are so called because they move by a process in which they first pull the rear legs forward toward their front legs, forming a loop which resembles the process of measuring with a tape measure. The motion is completed by subsequently moving the front legs forward to an advanced position. See {Geometrid}. [1913 Webster +PJC]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
measuring
noun: the act or process of measuring; "the measurements were carefully done"; "his mental measurings proved remarkably accurate" [syn: {measurement}, {measure}, {mensuration}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
42 Moby Thesaurus words for "measuring": appraisal, appraisement, approximation, approximative, assessment, assize, assizement, calculation, chorographic, computation, correction, determination, estimate, estimation, estimative, evaluation, gauging, hypsographic, instrumentation, measure, measurement, mensural, mensuration, mensurational, mensurative, metric, metric system, numerative, oceanographic, quantification, quantitative, quantization, rating, survey, surveying, telemetering, telemetry, topographic, triangulation, valuation, valuational, valuative
 |
Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |