▪ I. over-measure, n.
(ˈəʊvəˈmɛʒ(j)ʊə(r), -ʒə(r))
[over- 19, 29 d.]
Measure above what is ordinary or sufficient; excess, surplus.
| [1581 Savile Tacitus ii. xxiv. (1591) 67 An ouer measure if fortune hapned to go on their side. 1607 Shakes. Cor. iii. i. 140 Enough, with ouer measure.] 1641 Milton Reform. Wks. 1738 I. 29 Where they..shall clasp inseparable hands with Joy and Bliss, in over-measure for ever. 1710 Palmer Proverbs 294 They rarely fail of over-measure in the return of an injury. 1851 Trench Poems 77 [God] had answered all her prayers With such an overmeasure of his grace. |
▪ II. over-ˈmeasure, v.
[over- 26, 10.]
trans. a. To measure or reckon above the proper amount. b. To measure across, to traverse.
| 1625 Bacon Ess., Kingdomes (Arb.) 471 That neither by Ouer-measuring their Forces, they leese themselues in vaine Enterprises; Nor..by vnderualuing them, they descend to Fearefull and Pusillanimous Counsells. 1877 Tennyson Harold iv. iii. 119 By St. Edmund I over-measure him. 1896 Chicago Advance 18 June 905/2 Their gloomy shadow would twice have over-measured our country's expanse. |
▪ III. ˈover-ˈmeasure, advb. phr.
[Properly two words, over prep. 11 and measure n.]
Above the proper measure or amount; in excess.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 257 [Þey] preysede þe dedes hugeliche and ouermesure [laudibus nimium extulerunt]. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour H iij b, Wyn taken ouer mesure troubleth the syght. 1656 H. Phillips Purch. Patt. (1676) 164 Allow rather a little over-measure than any thing under. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. II. 404 If he give more, all that is Over-measure. |