meter
Cross references:
1. metric system
1. me.ter or me.tre \'me-t-*r\ n [ME, fr. OE & MF; OE me-ter, fr. L metrum,
fr. Gk metron m] chiefly Brit easure, meter; MF metre, fr. OF, fr. L metrum
- more at MEASURE 1a: systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse
: 1a1: rhythm that continuously repeats a single basic pattern {iambic ~ }
1a2: rhythm characterized by regular recurrence in larger figures {ballad
~} 1b: a measure or unit of metrical verse - usu. used in combination and
pr onounced /m-*t-ir/ {pentameter}; compare FOOT 1c: a fixed metrical
pattern : verse form 2: the basic recurrent rhythmical pattern of note
values, accents, and beat s per measure in music
2. met.er \'me-t-*r\ n [ME, fr. meten to mete] : one that measures; esp :
an official measurer of commodities
3. me.ter or me.tre \'me-t-*r\ n [F me'tre, fr. Gk metron measure] chiefly
Brit : the basic metric unit of length
4. me.ter n [-meter] 1: an instrument for measuring and sometimes recording
the amount of someth ing 2: a philatelic cover bearing an impression of a
postage meter
5. me.ter vt 1: to measure by means of a meter 2: to supply in a measured
or regulated amount 3: to print postal indicia on by means of a postage
meter