1. an instrument for measuring;

a. a vessel for receiving and determining the quantity of things, whether dry or liquid: in proverbial discourse, μέτρειν μέτρῳ, of the measure of the benefits which one confers on others, Luke 6:38; μέτρον πεπιεσμένον καί σεσαλευμένον, figuratively equivalent to most abundant requital, ibid.; πληροῦν τό μέτρον τῶν πατέρων, to add what is lacking in order to fill up their ancestors' prescribed number of crimes, Matthew 23:32 (see πληρόω, 2 a.); ἐκ μέτρου (A. V. by measure; see ἐκ, V. 3) i. e. sparingly, John 3:34 (also ἐν μέτρῳ, Ezekiel 4:11).

b. a graduated staff for measuring, measuring-rod: Revelation 21:15; with ἀνθρώπου added (man's measure), such as men use, Revelation 21:17; hence, in proverbial discourse, the rule or standard of judgment: Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:24.

2. determined extent, portion measured off, measure or limit: with a genitive of the thing received, Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 10:13; (Ephesians 4:7); ἐν μέτρῳ, in proportion to the measure (cf. Winers Grammar, § 48, a. 3 b. and see ἐνέργεια; others, in due measure), Ephesians 4:16; the required measure, the due, fit, measure: τῆς ἡλικίας, the proper i. e. ripe, full age (see ἡλικία, 1 c.) (of a man), Ephesians 4:13 (ἡβης, Homer, Iliad 11, 225; Odyssey 11, 317; Solon 5, 52 (Poet. Min. Gr. (edited by Gaisford) 3:135)).