measuring rod
- noun
- /ˈmɛʒərɪŋ rɑd/
:
vara de medir
- The radio measuring rod would settle the matter, for better or worse.
Examples
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Each phenomenon to be investigated presents its own measuring rod, its own internal constellation of values in the light of which alone "the facts" can be truly understood.
Academic text (1997) -
There had to be a safer way to measure the depth of a trench than to ask a worker to stand in it with a measuring rod.
Academic text (2000) -
The measuring rod is marked at 10 cm intervals.
Academic text (1993) -
The distance between each pair of points was limited by the practical length of a measuring rod and the need to maintain an unobstructed line of sight.
Academic text (2003) -
After this longitude determination, they began the careful measurement of the 102-mile line in late February 1768 using their calibrated measuring rods.
Academic text (2006) -
They received permission to do so and carefully calibrated wooden measuring rods using a brass standard; both the rods and the standard were sent from England.
Academic text (2006) -
As he elucidates, in contrast to Newton, "space and time cannot be defined in such a way that differences of the spatial coordinates can be directly measured by the unit measuring rod, or differences in the time coordinate by a standard clock." n63
Academic text (2009) -
A choice of several instruments existed, but whichever was used, vertical offsets were determined not by measuring angles, but by establishing a horizontal reference at some point and sighting from that point to a measuring rod held vertically at the next survey point.
Academic text (2003) -
The measuring rod is marked with regular intervals to help builders determine the length accurately.
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The carpenter used a measuring rod to ensure the shelves were evenly spaced apart.
Synonyms
29
1.0
A flat stick with marks used to draw straight lines and measure length
3
3.2
A stick about one yard long used to measure length
2
2.1
A long rod with marks for measuring length
2
3.0
A tool that shows how big, heavy, or hot something is
1
1.3
A long flexible strip with numbers that measures length
1
3.1
A tool that measures things like size or weight
A long marked stick used to measure length
A stick used to measure length up to one meter marked with centimeters and millimeters
A wooden rod about 45 inches long used long ago to measure cloth in markets
A long straight pole with red and white bands used to mark positions when measuring land
How Long
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'measuring' (relating to measurement) and 'rod' (a long straight implement): a rod used for measuring. This is a straightforward noun–noun compound following common composition patterns (and similar constructions exist in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The name measuring rod comes from a simple picture of a long wooden rod with marks used to measure length. That's why it means 'a standard tool to measure length or distance'.