Measure

(mězh'ŭr.) [Fr. mesure; L. mensura.] Generally, any given quantity, by which, as a unit, the length, breadth, thickne , and capacity of other things maybe estimated or proportioned, for the convenience and regulation of trade and commerce. See METRIO SYSTEM.-(Arith.) A quantity contained in another some number of times, without a remainder: thus 7 is a M. of 21.-(Poet.) A certain number of syllables metrically arranged:- otherwise known as metre.(Mus.) The interval which the person who beats time, takes between the rising and the falling of his hand, in order to render the movements quicker or slower, according to the nature of the subject and the notation of the score. Meath, (meeth.)an E. central co. of Ireland, p. Leinster, skirted E. by the Irish Sea, and b. W. by West meath; area, 906 sq. m.; C. Trim. Pop. 94,480. Mentus, (me-a'tus.) [ L., a channel.)] (Anat.) A term applied to channels leading from the external parts to an internal organ. See EAR. Meaux, (mo,) a manuf. city of France, dept. Seine-etMarne, on the Marne, 24 m. N.E. of Paris. Pop. 11,343. Mecca, (měkkah,) the " Holy City " of the Mohamme dan world, lies in Arabia, p. El-Héjaz, 51 m. E. ofDjeddah, and 270 S.E. of Medina. It is a handsomely built place, situate on a long, narrow, sandy valley, with, however, only one public building of importance - the Betullah, or famous mosque of El-Haram, 350 ft. long, 300 wide, supported by colonnades, and roofed in by numerous small pillared cupolas. Within this mosque is the venerated Caaba (q. v.). M. is the birthplace of Mohammed (Mahomet), the prophet of Islam. In consequence of the rapidly decreasing number of pilgrims who annually visit the Caaba, the pop. has fallen off considerably of late, from above 100,000 to abt. 30,000, [s. 587]