To measure or distribute by measure; to allot or apportion something carefully.
From 'be-' prefix plus 'mete,' from Old English 'metan' meaning 'to measure.' The prefix intensifies the sense of careful, thorough measurement and distribution.
The verb 'mete' survives mostly in 'mete out' (as in 'mete out punishment'), but 'bemete' shows how the prefix added nuance—suggesting not just measuring but distributing with precision, often in a judicial or formal context.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.