meted

Meted is the past tense and past participle of the verb mete, meaning to measure out, allot, or distribute something. The phrase mete out is commonly used to describe dispensing or apportioning items, especially punishments, penalties, or portions of goods.

Etymology: The verb mete derives from Old English metan “to measure” and is related to the noun mete meaning a measure. It is cognate with related forms in other Germanic languages. In modern English, mete remains formal or literary; more common synonyms include allocate, distribute, or apportion.

Usage: In contemporary writing, meted is primarily found in formal, ceremonial, or historical contexts. Examples: “The court meted out a ten-year sentence.” “The agency meted funds to the participating cities.” The construction “mete out” emphasizes a deliberate distribution or punishment and is typical of legal or administrative prose.

Notes: Meted should be distinguished from related terms such as meter and metre, which refer to measuring devices or units of length. The word mete as a verb is not interchangeable with those terms. While the form meted appears in historical or formal texts, it is relatively uncommon in everyday modern usage, where simpler verbs like allocate, distribute, or dispense are often preferred.