meter
 I. me·ter1 (mēʹtər)n.
1.
a. The measured arrangement of words in poetry, as by accentual rhythm, syllabic quantity, or the number of syllables in a line.
b. A particular arrangement of words in poetry, such as iambic pentameter, determined by the kind and number of metrical units in a line.
c. The rhythmic pattern of a stanza, determined by the kind and number of lines.
2. Music.
a. Division into measures or bars.
b. A specific rhythm determined by the number of beats and the time value assigned to each note in a measure. [Middle English, from Old English meter, and from Old French metre both from Latin metrum, from Greek metron, measure, poetic meter. See mē-2 in Indo-European Roots.] II. me·ter2 (mēʹtər)n. Abbr. m
The international standard unit of length, approximately equivalent to 39.37 inches. It was redefined in 1983 as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. See table at measurement. [French mètre, from Greek metron, measure. See mē-2 in Indo-European Roots.] III. me·ter3 (mēʹtər)n.
1. Any of various devices designed to measure time, distance, speed, or intensity or indicate and record or regulate the amount or volume, as of the flow of a gas or an electric current.
2. A postage meter.
3. A parking meter.tr.v. me·tered, me·ter·ing, me·ters
1. To measure with a meter:
meter a flow of water.
2. To supply in a measured or regulated amount:
metered the allotted gasoline to each vehicle.
3. To imprint with postage or other revenue stamps by means of a postage meter or similar device:
metering bulk mail.
4. To provide with a parking meter or parking meters:
meter parking spaces. [From -meter.]
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