mete

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to allot, dispense, or administer something, especially punishment or reward, usually in the phrase mete out

   The tribunal may mete out a severe penalty if the charge is proved.

Multiword verbs with mete

• mete out Phrasal verb C2

  to distribute or administer something, especially a punishment

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Mete is an Old English verb meaning “to measure.” It belongs to an ancient word family that also includes meat and, more remotely, meditate.

From Middle English meten and Old English metan ("to measure, estimate, or mark off"), from a Germanic verb meaning "measure." The surviving modern use usually appears as mete out, meaning to distribute according to measure or judgment.

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