Measure

As a verb, to measure is to find the size, amount, or degree of something using a standard unit. As a noun, a measure is the unit, instrument, or action used to do this, or a step taken to achieve a goal.

From Old French “mesure”, from Latin “mensura” meaning 'a measuring, a standard', from “mensus”, the past participle of “metiri” 'to measure'. The word has long been used both for physical size and for figurative judgment. It later expanded to mean 'actions taken', as in 'safety measures'.