Misurare

Misurare is a transitive Italian verb meaning to determine the size, amount, or degree of something by using a standard unit or instrument. It covers both literal measurement with tools (ruler, caliper, thermometer) and the assignment of a numerical value to a property. The verb is commonly used in science, technology, construction, and everyday language, and it can also be used figuratively to gauge or assess non-physical qualities, as in misurare la pazienza.

Etymology: misurare derives from Latin mensurare, from mensura “measure,” through the development of the Italian noun misura.

Conjugation: misurare is regular of the first conjugation. Present: io misuro, tu misuri, lui/lei misura; noi misuriamo, voi misurate, loro misurano. Past historic: misurai, misurasti, misurò, misurammo, misuraste, misurarono. Participle: misurato; gerund: misurando.

Usage notes: In metrology, precise measurement relies on standardized units (SI) and traceability to reference standards, with attention to uncertainty. The phrase misurare qualcosa in metri, in litri, in gradi Celsius is common; one can also say misurare con un righello, un termometro, o un calibro. Distinguish from stimare (to estimate): misurare implies an objective quantity obtained through instrument or calculation, while stimare is a best guess.

Examples: “Lo scienziato ha misurato la lunghezza della campata in 12,5 metri.” “Si è misurato la temperatura con il termometro.” “Questa prova serve a misurare la resistenza del materiale.” “Misurare la pazienza altrui è un compito rischioso.”

See also: misurazione, misurabile, misuratore, unità di misura.