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Where does the word "measure" come from? It comes from Latin mensura, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "measure" come from? It comes from Latin mensura, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Measure’s story begins in Latin: mensura meant “measuring.” From 'metiri', to measure. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as mesure. Also meant moderation, the proper limit. It reached English by 1200s as measure. 'for good measure' comes from traders adding a little extra. Today, measure means to find the size of; a unit or step.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient mensura "measuring", from 'metiri', to measure.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval mesure "moderation, measure", also meant moderation, the proper limit.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s measure "a unit; moderation", 'for good measure' comes from traders adding a little extra.