sizen.1
/sʌɪz/, U.S. /saɪz/ I. Senses relating to regulation, ordinance, and standards.† 2. An ordinance or regulation. Obsolete.† 3. The established order of things. Obsolete.† 4. An ordinance fixing the amount of a payment or tax. Also attributive, as size-boll, size-money. Obsolete.† 5. A fixed standard of quality or quantity for articles of food or drink, or other commodities. Obsolete = assize n. 5.† 6. A proper manner or method; a standard of action or conduct; a limit. Obsolete.† 7. in extended use.a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xvi. 4 Our size of sorrow Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great As that which makes it. View more context for this quotation† b. size-q(ue), the half of an ordinary allowance. Cf. cue n.1 2b. Obsolete.† 8. to pay size, to pay heavily. Obsolete. rare.
1. † b. Scottish. A jury. Obsolete = assize n. 13b.
a. An assize for the administration of justice. = assize n. 11 – 13. Now dialect.In later use commonly in the plural form sizes.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > [noun] > court of shire or part of shire > held periodically
sizea1300
shire-court1376
county?1387
assizec1405
view of frankpledge1495
county courtc1520
quarter sessions1538
(a)
attributive.1630 J. Taylor Wks. ii. 14 'Twas Size time there, and hanging was a brewing.(b)a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. xxxv Iudgys [were] ordeyned to kepe a Cyrcuyte, as nowe they kepe the Syzys in the tyme of vacacyon.a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 127 In the sessyonys & sysys at scyre townys appoyntyd.a1625 J. Fletcher Wit without Money (1639) iv. sig. G3 Some dunce that..admires nothing but a long charge at sizes.1680 W. Temple Ess. Advancem. Trade Ireland in Wks. (1720) I. 114 Sometimes one Share of that Money is paid to a single Pretender at the Sizes or Sessions.1702 D. Defoe Reformation of Manners Misc. 81 A Brace of Female-Clients meet him there, To help debauch the Sizes and the Fair.1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 229 I will never..bring you to the sizes or sessions.1847– in dial. glossaries (see Eng. Dial. Dict. ). 1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner viii. 124 There had been one tried at the 'sizes, not so long ago.a1300 Body & Soul in Map's Poems (Camden) 337 Wȝan ȝe hadden set your sise. ye thre traytours, sore I wep.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. iii. 178 Gyle..shope þat a shereyue sholde bere mede Softliche in saumbury fram syse to syse.
c1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Katherine i. 894 They sette the shire, þe cessyons and the Cyse Ryght as hem lest.
c1486 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 68 As touching the matters he hard at the syse, I caused some to be thyn at this time.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. xviv There shall be no Bayle nor treatynge of maynpryse,..There shall be no delayes vntyll another Syse.
1581 T. Howell His Deuises sig. C.iiij Like as the captiue Wight..hopes at Sise to be releast, is then condemde to dye.
a1631 J. Donne Poems (1633) 330 You said If I Returne next size in Lent, I should be in remitter of your grace.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xviii. vi. 211 He sent for a Writ against me, and had me to Size . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > jury > [noun]
jury?a1400
panelc1400
size1488
assize1528
the twelve men1589
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iv. l. 124 The siys of this couth say to him rycht nocht.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. 489 This governour..Corruptit judgis thair with him he brocht, And syis also that knew richt weill his thocht.
a1586 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xliv. 29 In dout vhat wyse that feirfull syse Pronunce thair sentence wald.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > [noun] > edict, decree, ordinance, or institute
doomc825
i-setnessec900
setnessc950
edict1297
statutec1300
purveyancea1325
assize1330
ordinancec1330
decreetc1374
constitutionc1380
decree?a1400
sizea1400
stablementc1400
edictionc1470
stablishment1473
ordinationc1499
estatutea1514
placarda1530
prescript1532
golden bull1537
rescript1545
institute1546
institution1551
constitutec1561
sanction1570
decretal1588
ordain1596
decretum1602
invention1639
scite1656
dispositive1677
bull1696
ordonnance1702
subnotation1839
senatus consultum1875
fatwa1989
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 9427 Lawes two were set on sise To Adam in paradise.
1474 Coventry Leet Bk. 401 The sise of a Corriour is þat he corry no maner of lether but yf it be thorowe tanned.
1474 Coventry Leet Bk. 401 The sise is that no mercer, Grocer, Draper, Smyth nor no other crafty man by nor sell no maner thyng..but yf ther weyghtes and mesures be sised & sealed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > [noun] > established order or system > the established order of things
sizec1400
c1400 Sc. Trojan War (Horstm.) i. 570 Thyr war þe wordys of Denyse Quhene þat he saw againe þe syse The sonne Eclyps.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > types of laws > [noun] > commercial or revenue
sizea1300
assizea1330
indiction1586
poll bill1641
frumentarian law1652
statute of the staple1657
statute of frauds1678
Gin Act1730
Pot Act1733
Stamp Act1765
Stamp-Bill1765
corn law1766
Bumboat Act1796
Maine law1852
permissive bill1864
lemon law1981
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28438 Toll and tak, and rent o syse, Withalden i haue wit couettise.
1543 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 199 Robert Ratray..resignit..in the prouestis handis..the haly dais fische of Dee, and syise boll.
1633 Sc. Acts, Chas. I (1817) V. 94 For bruiking of the said burgh lands.., tolles, customes, sys bolles.
1641 Sc. Acts, Chas. I (1817) V. 627 To apply to þe vse of þe said brucht with the syis boll and syistrie.
1733 P. Lindsay Interest Scotl. 206 The Payment of their Size~money, which they reckon so great a Hardship.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] > consumer goods > fixed standard of quality for
size?1479
?1479 in Eng. Gilds 424 The Maire..to do calle byfore hym..all the Bakers of Bristowe, there to vndirstand whate stuff they haue of whete. And after, whate sise they shall bake.
1485 Rolls of Parl. VI. 364/2 The Office of Cise of Ale in the same Towne, in the Countie of Glamorgan.
?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. *Ci The Mayre toke brybes of the bakers, and suffred them to sell brede vnder the syse.
1559 Seconde Volume of Fabians Chronicle in Chronicle of Fabian (new ed.) sig. ZZ.v An acte of Parliament for wood and coal to kepe the fulle sise,..that no man shall bargaine, sell, bryng or conueigh of any other sise.
1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. i. 15 He made a Law, Ordaining a size, by certaine pinnes in the pot, with penalty to any, that should presume to drinke deeper then the marke.
c1680 Shaftesbury in Christie Life (1871) I. App. i. p. xii The senior fellows..articled with us never to alter the size of our beer.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 308/1 The Bakers cannot without [scales] make and perform that just Size put upon them.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun]
rule?c1225
sizec1420
rate1472
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > [noun] > limit
markOE
measurea1375
bound1393
sizec1420
banka1425
limita1425
limitationa1475
stint1509
within one's tether?1523
confine1548
tropic?1594
scantling1597
gauge1600
mound1605
boundalsa1670
meta1838
parameter1967
c1420 26 Pol. Poems 66 He may not stonde, þat haþ no toon [= toes], Lepe ne renne, ne ryde in syse.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lii. 500 Of syre Tristram came..alle the syses and mesures of blowynge of an horne.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Ciiv My persone prest, beyonde all syse.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Aviiiv Though..he were wicked past al sise.
1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 99 In our talke, or in any other thing, no syse is suffred, but in sermons which muste not passe aboue an howre.
a. A quantity or portion of bread, ale, etc.; spec. in Cambridge use (see quot. 1617); an allowance.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > educational administration > university administration > [noun] > allowance
size1555
size-q(ue)1602
the world > food and drink > food > supply of food or provisions > rations > [noun] > in college
size1555
sizing1596
cue1603
commons1685
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. xii. 285 That in so smalle a syse of breade and wine, the infinite..Christe..shoulde be comprehended.
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. F3 v The Master Butler of Pembrooke Hall,..one that sheweth more discretion..in setting vp a sise of Bread, than thou in all thy whole booke.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 334 Tis not in thee..to cut off my traine,..to scant my sizes . View more context for this quotation
1617 J. Minsheu Ἡγεμὼν είς τὰς γλῶσσας: Ductor in Linguas (at cited word) A size is a portion of bread and drinke: it is a farthing which schollers in Cambridge have at the buttery: it is noted with the letter S as in Oxford with the letter Q for halfe a farthing.
1691 J. Ray S. & E. Country Words in Coll. Eng. Words (ed. 2) 113 A Size of Bread, and a Cue of Bread, Cambridge. The one signifies half, the other one fourth part of a Half-penny Loaf.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (at cited word) Size of Ale, half a pint; Size of bread and cheese, a certain quantity.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > educational administration > university administration > [noun] > allowance
size1555
size-q(ue)1602
1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iv. iii. 1838 You are at Cambridge still with sice kue.
1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 31 He never drunk above siz-q: of Helicon.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > pay [verb (intransitive)] > pay dearly or excessively
to pay sauce1659
to pay size1662
to pay through the nose1666
1662 S. Pepys Diary 4 Sept. (1970) III. 187 My Lady Batten and her crew, at least half-scoare, came into the room, and I believe we shall pay sice for it.
9. † a. A device for measuring pearls.
ΚΠ
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Size, an Instrument used to find the Weight of fine round Pearls withal.
b. A gauge used in wire-drawing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for determining or verifying dimensions > specific
size1763
limit gauge1841
plug gauge1850
scantle1850
string-gauge1876
snap gauge1918
burr-gauge-
1763 W. Lewis Commercium Philosophico-technicum 55 A brass plate called a size, on which is measured by means of notches..the increase which a certain length of wire should gain in passing through a fresh hole.
II. Senses relating to magnitude or bulk.
10.
a. The magnitude, bulk, bigness, or dimensions of anything.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun]
greatness1381
measurea1382
quantitya1387
muchnessa1398
sizea1400
largec1400
micklec1400
moisonc1400
of suingc1400
bignessc1475
assize1481
proportions1481
bodya1500
dimension1529
measuring1529
wideness1535
bind1551
corporance1570
magnitude1570
mickledom1596
amplitude1599
breadth1609
extendure1613
extension1614
extent1623
extensure1631
dimense1632
dimensity1655
bulkiness1674
bulksomeness1674
admeasurement1754
calliper1819
acreage1846
a1400–50 Alexander 26 For þai þe mesure & þe mett of all þe mulde couthe, Þe sise of all þe grete see.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 270/2 Syse of a mannes body, corpulence.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 270/2 Syse of any thyng, moyson.
1611 J. Donne Anat. World sig. A7v When, as the age was long, the sise was great: Mans grouth..recompenc'd the meat.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 65 The humane Brain is..much..larger than the Brains of Brutes, having regard to the size and proportion of their Bodies.
1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility x. 376 The cloathing of humility does as it were conform itself to the size of the wearer.
1796 C. Marshall Introd. Knowl. & Pract. Gardening xiii. 236 The size of a hot bed, as to length and breadth, is..to be according to the frame.
1830 J. Baxter Libr. Agric. & Hort. Knowl. 70 The size of some stems is truly astonishing.
1880 C. E. Bessey Bot. 146 The absolute size of leaves varies greatly also.
b. Preceded by of, or in later use with ellipse of this. of a (or one) size, of the same magnitude or dimensions.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [adverb] > of the same size
of a (or one) size1470
of one (or a) scantling1551
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur v. viii. 173 Now arte thow better of a syse to dele with than thou were.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3815 Protheselus the pert kyng was of pure shap, Semely for sothe, & of Syse faire.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Exod. xxxvi. 9 The curtaines were all of one cise. [Also 1 Kings vi. 25.]
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. 124 Of the Size royal, is that peece which shooteth a bullet from seuenteene pound waight vpward.
1657 R. Austen Treat. Fruit-trees (ed. 2) 63 Young trees of a smaler sise.
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 108 Of different colours, figures, cizes.
1768 Philos. Trans. 1767 (Royal Soc.) 57 490 The crystals of this salt were in general..more of a size, than those of the gooseberry.
1781 W. Cowper Let. 17 Dec. (1979) I. 561 Ours, Like some of nature's sweetest flowers, Rose from a seed of tiny size.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. v. 107 ‘Why don't you hit one of your size?’ said the boy.
1884 D. Pae Eustace 13 The two men were about a size.
1893 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. 115 A frame the exact size of the window.
c. In abstract use: Magnitude.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun] > in abstract use
commensuration1555
size1667
universal1674
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 352 They Limb themselves, and colour, shape or size Assume. View more context for this quotation
1701 N. Grew Cosmol. Sacra ii. i. §14 The Mixture of Cize and Figure, can beget nothing but Cize and Figure.
1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 67 Whose shape would make them, had they bulk and size, More hideous foes [etc.].
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 74 The church of St. Julian, equal in size to most cathedrals.
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) v. 39 The books precisely matched as to size.
1885 J. Ruskin Præterita I. vi. 199 I had always a quite true perception of size, whether in mountains or buildings.
d. Suitable or normal dimensions. rare except in to cut (chop, etc.) down to size: see to cut down 8 at cut v. Phrasal verbs. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun] > suitable or normal
standard1625
size1842
the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > reduce in size or extent [verb (transitive)] > to suitable dimensions
to cut down to size1821
to cut (chop, etc.) down to size1972
1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 65/1 The plants..should be thinned, and..may be used as they attain size till August.
1953 Time 20 July 40/3 He kept Stalin down to size.
1962 Listener 17 May 883/1 The complexity and psychological depth abandoned in hacking the novel down to size.
1972 N.Y. Times 3 Nov. 39/6 Once the warlord armies supporting him were chopped down to size.., he was content to fade away.
e. Thickness or thinness (of a liquid mixture); consistency (cf. size v.1 4c).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > [noun] > consistency > specifically of a liquid
size1863
1863 J. R. Wise New Forest Gloss. ‘The size of the gruel’ means its consistency.
1889 C. T. Davis Pract. Treat. Manuf. Bricks (ed. 2) 147 The temperer having secured the proper plasticity, or ‘size’ for the clay.
f. In colloquial phrase that's (about) the size of it, etc.: that is what it amounts to, that is the situation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [phrase] > that's the way it is
that's (about) the size of it1860
that's (about) the strength of it1882
that's the way (also how) the ball bounces1952
that's the way the cookie crumbles1955
1860 G. J. Whyte-Melville Market Harborough 30 Nothing to do, and lots of time to do it in! that seems to be about the size of it.
1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad viii. 71 ‘Bloodshed!’ ‘That's about the size of it,’ I said.
1886–7 F. R. Stockton Hundredth Man xxxv This is about the size of this business as it appears to me.
1904 Hartford (Connecticut) Courant 24 June 10 Another competent military reporter says that General Oku had to send in ‘the whole Japanese reserves’. We fancy that that was exactly the size of it.
1914 G. Atherton Perch of Devil i. 89 That's the size of it, only I couldn't ever say it like that.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xii. [Cyclops] 298 Talking about the Gaelic league and the antitreating league and drink, the curse of Ireland. Antitreating is about the size of it.
1966 D. Francis Flying Finish ii. 21 ‘He just went to Italy and didn't come back?’ ‘That's about the size of it,’ Simon agreed.
1973 ‘M. Innes’ Appleby's Answer xv. 134 It's money that's really in his head... That's about the size of it, wouldn't you say?
11. figurative.1879 R. H. Hutton Mem. in W. Bagehot Lit. Stud. I. p. lxii He was ‘between sizes in politics’.
a. A particular magnitude or set of dimensions; esp. one of a series in the case of various manufactured articles, as boots, gloves, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun] > a) dimension(s) > a particular set of
size1591
1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Dict. at Punto The sise of a shoo.
1612 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 254 There is not a size of paper in the Palace, large enough to tell you how much I esteeme my selfe honoured in your remembrances.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 104 He is certainly a Size above ordinary in his own Conceit.
1711 London Gaz. No. 4899/4 Another silver Mazarene, a size larger.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Size, a term of measure amongst shoemakers, equal to one third part of an inch.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 344 Her white satin shoes being a few sizes too large.
1846 W. Greener Sci. Gunnery (new ed.) 329 It appears also that there is a size which meets with less resistance from atmospheric influence than others.
1872 C. S. Calverley Fly Leaves 9 To haste..to..the glover, Having managed to discover what is dear Neæra's ‘size’.
b. Used elliptically with a noun following.
ΚΠ
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper ii. 33 Cut your Sturgeon into what size Pieces you please.
1770 P. Luckombe Conc. Hist. Printing 215 The Writings of that Father [St. Augustine] were the first Works done on that size Letter.
1846 F. Brittan tr. J. F. Malgaigne Man. Operative Surg. 308 After this first trial you can judge what size eye will do next.
1886 J. M. Caulfeild Seamanship Notes 3 Different size cables.
1889 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 159 A large size plate.
c. to try (something)(on) for size: to consider (an idea, theory, etc.) to see whether it fits the facts. Also loosely, to try out or sample. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > speculation > confirmation of hypothesis, theory > theorize [verb (intransitive)]
theorize1734
doctrinize1836
propositionize1878
scientize1890
to try (something)(on) for size1956
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)]
afondc1300
assailc1300
found1340
assay1377
taste1382
experiment1524
experience1541
try1545
attempt1563
practise1632
explore1667
experimentate1670
to taste of1700
to try out1888
to try (something)(on) for size1979
fand-
1956 ‘E. McBain’ Cop Hater (1958) viii. 70 ‘Try this for size,’ Bush said. ‘I'm listening,’ Carella said.
1967 ‘E. Queen’ Face to Face xxix. 127 ‘All right,’ said the Inspector. ‘Let's try this on for size: You knew what Spotty had to sell, didn't you?’
1969 ‘J. Fraser’ Cock-pit of Roses x. 81 ‘I know some bugger's been pinching 'em, if that's what you're getting at.’ Try that on for size, you devil, his look seemed to say.
1979 A. Boyle Climate of Treason (1980) viii. 258 Trying his boss's desk for size, Philby noticed the untidy array of memoranda and pending files in the in-tray.
1980 J. McClure Blood of Englishman xxiv. 221 She was shaking the sardines into a saucer. ‘There, kitty! Try those for size.’
12.
a. Magnitude, extent, rate, amount, etc., as a standard of immaterial things. Also in phrases (see later quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [noun]
prickOE
degreec1380
greec1386
largenessa1398
rate1523
size1534
pitcha1568
pin1584
scantling1586
intension1604
assize1625
proportion1641
process1655
to a certain extent1671
intensity1794
level1897
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun] > of immaterial things
size1534
1534 J. Heywood Play of Loue sig. Eiii As the horse feleth pleasure in sise At night in the stable aboue the tre So feleth he some pleasure as farre aboue ye.
1580 E. Spenser in E. Spenser & G. Harvey Three Proper & Wittie Lett. 56 I hope, you will vouchsafe mee an answeare of the largest size.
1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in Sonnets sig. Kv Shriking vndistinguisht wo, In clamours of all size both high and low.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage iii. xii. 257 Although those dayes shall be of a larger size then these.
1701 J. Swift Disc. Contests Nobles & Commons iii. 25 The Power of these Princes..was much of a size with that of the Kings in Sparta.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 97 He understood well the size of their understandings.
1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 283 Errors, of whatever size.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) (at cited word) ‘He talks at a fearful size;’ i.e. he talks big.
1836–8 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker (1862) 299 One day I was adrivin' out at a'most a deuce of a size, and he stopped me.
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 224 Size, in reference to a fault; this word means the extent of the displacement or the throw.
b. Of persons in respect of mental or moral qualities, rank or position, etc.; †hence, class, kind, degree, order.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > distinction of class > level or grade
mannishOE
placec1330
state1340
gree1382
conditionc1384
sectc1384
sortc1386
ordera1400
raff?a1400
degreea1425
countenancec1477
faction?1529
estate1530
race1563
calibre1567
being1579
coat1579
rang1580
rank1585
tier1590
classis1597
strain1600
consequence1602
regiment1602
sept1610
standinga1616
class1629
species1629
nome1633
quality1636
sort1671
size1679
situation1710
distinction1721
walk of life1733
walk1737
stage1801
strata1805
grade1808
caste1816
social stratum1838
station1842
stratum1863
echelon1950
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants (1692) ii. v. 151 Which showeth..that Christians of all sizes, great and small, are but Brethren.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 497 Our Mock Phalaris is a Sophist of that size, that no kind of Blunder is below his Character.
1719–20 J. Swift Let. to Young Gentleman (1721) 9 A plain Sermon intended for the middle or lower Size of People.
1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature ix. 207 Can we impute to God that, which is below the common size of men?
1746 P. Francis tr. Horace Art of Poetry 506 But God, and Man, and letter'd Post denies, That Poets ever are of midling Size.
1844 R. W. Emerson Ess. 2nd Ser. vi The cause is reduced..to suit the size of the partisans.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 8 There are things enough to be said of Voltaire's moral size.
c. plural. As adverb. Many times, far.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > by or to a great degree or extent > to a great degree (of difference)
farc900
largelyc1325
largea1400
widely1603
far-about1848
sizes1861
way1903
tons1908
1861 E. Dickinson Lett. (1897) II. 241 All our Lord demands, who sizes better knows than we.
Compounds
Special combinations.† size-land n. Obsolete a narrow strip of ploughed land.
size-bone n. whalebone of the length of six feet or above.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Mystacoceti > [noun] > member of > whalebone and surrounding parts > long
size-bone1820
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 419 The size-bone or such pieces as measure six feet or upward in length is kept separate from the under-size.
1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 527/2 The figures given are the values of ‘size~bones’,..which is twice the value of whalebone under that length.
size distribution n. the way in which size varies among members of a population of particles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical structure or stereochemistry > [noun] > size variation among members of a population of particles
size distribution1925
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > earth or soil > [noun] > particle size
size distribution1925
1925 Trans. Faraday Soc. 21 381 (heading) A simple method of obtaining the size distribution of particles in soils and precipitates.
1966 D. G. Brandon Mod. Techniques Metallogr. v. 250 In the past, size-distribution analysis has usually involved time-consuming measurements on individual grains or particles.
size effect n. an effect due to size.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun] > effect due to size
size effect1943
1943 Ann. Appl. Biol. XXX. 216/2 The loss in weight increases progressively from I to IV indicating the existence of a size effect.
1968 C. G. Kuper Introd. Theory Superconductivity v. 92 The discrepancy between the experiments and the London theory has been interpreted as a size effect, arising from the scattering of normal electrons by the n-s boundary.
size-fish n. a whale yielding size-bone.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Mystacoceti > [noun] > member of > whalebone and surrounding parts > long > whale yielding
size-fish1820
sized fish1845
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 419 The captain and some of the officers..having a premium on every size fish.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 628 The harpooner gets a bonus for striking a ‘size-fish’.
size-group n. those constituents of a population whose sizes fall within a specific range.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun] > range of sizes > group having sizes in specific range
size-group1944
1944 J. S. Huxley On Living in Revol. 110 The total population can be separated into four size-groups, corresponding to the produce of the four successive years that each grub lives in the soil before it turns into a beetle.
1971 I. G. Gass et al. Understanding Earth ix. 132/2 They contain both filamentous and globular structures, and the latter occur in more than one size~group.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > broken land > arable or ploughed land > divisions of ploughed land
ridgeOE
butt1304
landc1400
rig1428
sheth1431
shed1473
stitch1493
loon1611
furlong1660
size-land1744
slit1775
kench1799
stimpart1896
1744 W. Ellis Mod. Husbandman Jan. x. 75 [In Middlesex] they plow two, three, or four of these Size-lands into one Broad-land.
size-range n. a range of sizes; a size group.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [noun] > range of sizes
size-range1924
1924 Industr. & Engin. Chem. 16 930/2 The figures given..for the size range were calculated in this way.
1955 New Biol. 19 95 Some particles in the mitochondrial size-range appear to be proplastids.
1962 Sci. Surv. 3 296 Shoals of large salmon were observed to remain inactive at the tail of the pool while a smaller size-range of salmon and trout ascended successfully.
size-roll n. (a) a military roll showing the size of each man; (b) ‘a piece of parchment added to a roll’ (Simmonds, 1858).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military organization > [noun] > other lists
roster1727
sick-list1748
size-roll1757
army list1763
retired list1797
succession1805
blacklist1825
active list1827
1757 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1889) I. 473 Nor shall I delay to send the companies' size-rolls, when they come to my hands.
1832 Proposed Regulations Cavalry ii. 16 Each Troop forms on its own parade, in rank entire according to the size-roll.
1844 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army 155 The form of Size Roll..is so arranged as to sub-divide the three divisions for each height,—‘small,’ ‘middling,’ and ‘large,’—each into three classes.
size-slate n. a slate having certain definite dimensions or measurements.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > stone or rock > [noun] > building stone > stone of the nature of slate > for roofing > piece of > having definite dimensions
countess1803
lady1803
imperial1813
queen1819
duchess1823
princess1834
size-slate1865
marchioness1878
viscountess1878
bachelor1898
muffity1914
1865 J. Bower Slate Quarries 31 The average price of size slates, tons, and slabs.
size-stick n. (see quot. 1875).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > making footwear > [noun] > equipment or materials for > equipment > other
thumb-stall1589
stopping sticka1600
dresser1600
heel-block1600
rubbing pin1600
stopper1600
petty boy1688
shoe-bench1841
shoe hairs1859
fudge-wheel1874
shoe-hammer1875
size-stick1875
trimming-machine1877
heel breaster1879
slugger1892
waist-hammer1895
waist-iron1895
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2192/1 Size~stick, the shoemaker's measuring-stick to determine the length of feet.
Draft additions 1993
g. Bodily weight; muscular bulk or power. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > [noun]
featurec1325
making1340
staturec1380
statea1387
bonea1400
figurec1400
makec1425
corpulence1477
corsage1481
makdom1488
mouldc1550
corporature1555
frame1566
dimension1600
limit1608
set1611
timber1612
compact1646
taille1663
fabric1695
moulding1815
physique1826
tournure1827
build1832
form1849
body type1866
body build1907
somatotype1940
size1985
1985 E. Leonard Glitz xii. 102 He was a big strong Italian fella and I see you're going to have size on you.
1985 Bodypower Oct. 17/2 Please can you advise me as to which method builds size, using squats and bench press as an example.
1987 E. Leonard Bandits ii. 28 I felt Maureen was gonna put on size.
Draft additions June 2016
size queen n. (originally among gay men) a person who prefers male sexual partners with large penises; (also more generally) a person who regards largeness as a desirable quality.
ΚΠ
1964 Gay (Toronto) 15 Oct. 6/1 Our Size Queen took a second glance—And almost flipped a gasket. This fellow simply was too much: He showed a lovely basket.
1971 J. F. Hunter Gay Insider xiii. 181 The conventionally accepted idea that male homosexuals are all a bunch of size queens.
1997 Esquire Nov. 87/2 I am such a size queen. I love big dogs, big people.
1999 M. Paley Bk. of Penis 23 Some women are size queens; most women..don't choose their men for the size of their dicks.
2012 E. White Jack Holmes & his Friend iii. 43 Call me an old-fashioned size queen, but I like it. What would you say—eight inches? Nine?
Draft additions December 2021
size-inclusive adj. (esp. in contexts relating to women’s fashion) including or representing a broader than usual range of clothing or body sizes, particularly those conventionally perceived as being larger than average or desirable.
ΚΠ
1999 Washington Post 14 July c10/1 With its down-to-earth point of view and size-inclusive philosophy, [fashion company] Ellen Tracy has created a psychological comfort zone whose value cannot be measured.
2010 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 11 Aug. 23 Other examples of recent size-inclusive casting include Mark Fast's last two shows, where he has used a smattering of plus-sized models.
2017 Racked (Nexis) 13 Sept. Jeans from this size-inclusive brand run from 0 through 24, which isn't the full spectrum of plus-size sizing but is considerably better than most denim brands that cap off around a size 12 or 14.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
sizen.2
/sʌɪz/, U.S. /saɪz/ a. A glutinous or viscid wash applied to paper, parchment, etc., to provide a suitable ground for gilding, painting, or other work. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > painting or coating materials > [noun] > size
sizec1440
animal size1799
clear-cole1823
sizing1825
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > equipment for painting or drawing > [noun] > surface for painting or drawing > preparing of surface > substance used for
sizec1440
priminga1625
primera1650
prime1658
gesso1851
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 456/2 Syse, for bokys lymynynge.
c1485 E. Eng. Misc. (Warton Club) 73 To make a cyse to gyld unburned gold on bokys.
1573 Treat. Arte of Limming (title page) The maner how to make sundry sises or grounds to laye silver or gold upon.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 595 Whatsoeuer is to be pargetted with this Maltha..ought first to be rubbed throughly with a size of oile.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. vii. xxxiv. 49 Take Red Lead..or Yellow Oker, well ground with Oyle of Spike or Turpentine; this is the Sise: Then draw with that the Figure you would have in Gold.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Limning There are always applied two Lays of hot Size e'er the Colours..are laid on.
1763 W. Lewis Commercium Philosophico-technicum 62 For gilding on wood, &c. with what is called water~size, the parchment or leather size above-mentioned is mixed with whiting, and several layers of the mixture spread upon the piece.
b. Printing. (See quot. 1888.)
ΚΠ
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 126 Size, the preparation used for printing with bronze.
2. A semi-solid glutinous substance, prepared from materials similar to those which furnish glue, and used to mix with colours, to dress cloth or paper, and for various other purposes.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > adhesive > [noun]
gluea1382
size1530
cement1562
solder1582
cementum1617
gluten1639
binder1678
conglutinatora1728
glutin1825
cheese cement1839
agglutinant1844
adhesive1849
stickum1877
stickall1880
stick1891
binding agent1933
tackifier1942
bonding1958
agglomerator1975
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 270/2 Syse for colours, colle de cvir.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Color Liquidus... Moyste, tempered with sise as peynters vse.
1582 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Queen Elizabeth (1908) 359 Paste bord, paper, and paste, white, sise, verte, syneper.
1658 W. Sanderson Graphice 78 Old rotten size, to bind the Colours together.
1714 B. Mandeville Fable Bees i. 199 What Size is to white Walls, which hinders them from coming off, and makes them lasting.
1747 B. Franklin Conjecture Heat of Blood in Wks. (1838) VI. 99 Paper wet with size and water will not dry so soon as if wet with water only.
1800 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 90 367 The various degrees of viscidity and tenacity which characterize mucilage, size, and glue.
1843 C. Holtzapffel Turning & Mech. Manip. I. 63 The outer face of the veneer and the surface of the table are wetted with very thin glue, or with a stiff size.
1883 R. Haldane Workshop Receipts 2nd Ser. 302/1 Size of very different qualities is made at glue-works.
3. The buffy coat on the surface of coagulated blood in certain conditions. Cf. sizy adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disorders of blood > [noun] > coagulated blood > buffy coat
buff1739
size1771
buffy coat1800
buffed coat1835
crusta phlogistica1890
1771 Philos. Trans. 1770 (Royal Soc.) 60 387 I shall next..enquire into the formation of the inflammatory crust, or size, as it is called.
Compounds
attributive, as size-colour, size-gelatin, size-manufactory, size-manufacturer, size-water.
Π
1603–4 Act 1 James I c. 20 §1 As well with Oyle Colours as Size Colours.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Limning 'Tis certain, that the Size-Colours hold the best.
1738 E. Chambers Cycl. at Book~binding The leaves being wetted with the size-water.
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Size-manufacturer, a boiler down of skins, etc., and maker of size.
1869 E. A. Parkes Man. Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 20 Substances..from size, horn, and isinglass manufactories.
1873 T. H. Green Introd. Pathol. & Morbid Anat. (ed. 2) 123 Others are softer, more resembling size-gelatin.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† sizen.3
Obsolete.attributive.1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Size candle.1559 in T. Wright Churchwardens' Accts. Ludlow (1869) 91 Payd upon Easter day in the mornynge for a sysse candle, jd.
A certain kind or size of candle, used esp. at court and in churches.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > [noun] > used at specific times or in certain places
soul candle1389
sizea1483
staff-torch1532
death candle1808
yahrzeit candle1906
a1483 Liber Niger in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 22 x candells wax, for the sizes of the chamber.
a1483 Liber Niger in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 41 He setteth up the sises in the King's chambre.
1518 Lett. & Papers Henry VIII II. ii. 1515 Pure wax for morters, quariers, priketts and sysys.
1560 Acc. Fratern. Holy Ghost, Basingstoke (1882) 13 Item paid for tapers & Syces at whitsontyde, ij s.
1570 B. Googe tr. T. Kirchmeyer Popish Kingdome iii. f. 37 To whome [Christ] if that they light a syse, his mother hath six againe.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Bougie,..a size or small round candle vsed in churches.
1659 P. Heylyn Examen Historicum i. 288 Upon the Communion Table they..never set more then two fair Candles with a few small Sizes neer to them.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
sizev.1
/sʌɪz/, U.S. /saɪz/ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > bring into conformity > regularize, normalize, or standardize
sizea1400
annormea1644
disenorma1644
regularize1780
standardize1792
normalize1847
formalize1855
a1400–50 Alexander 4654 Many seerties we seet [read he set] þat sysed all þe werde.
1467 Coventry Leet Bk. 335 Þat þe Mair ordeyn iiij assisours to sise þe watir at all Milles within þis Cete.
1579 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 402 All other measures..to be vewed, tryed, sised, allowed, and sealed.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 12v The coyne they vse, is either of Brasse, or els rings of Iron, sised at a certeine waight in steede of money.
1613 in W. M. Williams Founders' Co. (1867) 23 The said Weights..shall..be sized by the Standard at Founders' Hall.
1656 W. Webb in D. King Vale Royall ii. 213 This Maior..sized the Wines,—Muscadine at 7d. the quart, Sack at 10d. and other Wines at six pence.
1698–9 Act 11 Will. III c. xv. §1 A Vessel..made, sized, and equalled unto the said Standard.
1766 J. Entick Surv. London in New Hist. London IV. 79 All makers of brass weights..are obliged to have their..weights sized by the Company's standard.
1772 Philos. Trans. 1771 (Royal Soc.) 61 467 My weights were most accurately sized.
2. † c. transitive. To allowance (oneself); to eke out with something extra. Obsolete.
a. In University use (at Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale): To enter as a ‘size’ upon the buttery or kitchen books; to score (an amount) against oneself in this manner. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > educational administration > university administration > [verb (transitive)] > allowances or depriving of
size1598
discommon1727
discommons1856
1598 E. Guilpin Skialetheia iii. sig. D1 I knew thee when thou war'dst a thred-bare gowne: Siz'd eighteene pence a weeke.
1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus v. ii. 2048 I vse to size my musicke, or go on the score for it, Ile pay it at the quarters end.
1630 T. Randolph Aristippus in Wks. (1875) I. 14 Drinking college tap-lash..will let them have no more learning than they size, nor a drop of wit more than the butler sets on their heads.
1790 Laws of Harvard Coll. 38 They may be allowed to size a meal at the kitchen.
1811 Laws of Yale Coll. 31 The Butler shall make up his bill against each student, in which every article sized or taken up by him at the Buttery shall be particularly charged.
b. intransitive. To order ‘sizes’, or have them entered against one.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > supply with food [verb (intransitive)] > seek or acquire food
forage1530
raven1560
prog1579
size1598
snoop1848
sock1883
society > education > educational administration > university administration > [verb (intransitive)] > allowances
size1598
1598 E. Guilpin Skialetheia sig. A7 I haue sized in Cambridge, and my friends a season Some exhibition for me there disburst.
1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iv. ii. 1691 You that are one of the Diuels fellow commoners, one that sizeth in the Deuils butteries.
1617 J. Minsheu Ἡγεμὼν είς τὰς γλῶσσας: Ductor in Linguas (at cited word) To size is to set downe their quantum, i.e. how much they take in their name in the Buttery-booke.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) To Size,..to Score as Students doe in the Buttery-Book of a College at Cambridge.
1852 C. A. Bristed Five Years Eng. University (ed. 3) 19 Soup, pastry, and cheese can be ‘sized for’, that is, brought in portions to individuals at an extra charge.
1859 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang 93 If a man asks you to supper, he treats you; if to size, you pay for what you eat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feed or nourish [verb (reflexive)] > seek or acquire food
size1608
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > make complete [verb (transitive)] > complete, fill up, or make up > by supplying what is wanting
performa1382
supplyc1480
upmake1485
to make up1488
mend?a1505
to stop, to fill (in or up), to supply a gap?1523
to eke out1596
help out (also through)1600
size1608
echea1616
inch out1620
to eke up1633
supplete1664
lengthen1670
supplement1749
to husband out1762
sort1880
piecenc1900
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 189 It is said they eate earth by measure, for they eate so much euery day as they can grype in theyr fore-foote, as it were sizing themselues.
a1627 W. Rowley & T. Middleton Wit at Severall Weapons ii. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Kkkkkk3v/1 To be so strict A Nigard to your Commons, that you are faine To size your belly out with shoulder fees.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > have specific dimensions [verb (transitive)] > state or consider the size of
sizea1661
dimensionalize1973
a1661 B. Holyday tr. Juvenal Satyres (1673) 250 The pygmies..being but one foot high (as some size them).
4. figurative.1733 Revol. Politicks vii. 44 Sizing his Words at such a rate as one yet willing to be understood that he had not stray'd from his Brethern in Point of Loyalty.1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xlvii. 284 He is so exactly siz'd and cut out for a Town Fop, Coxcomb, or pretty Fellow.1899 G. Ade Doc' Horne xxiii. 255 The freckled boy then announced that he had ‘sized’ the hustler for a ‘panhandler’ from the start.
a. To make of a certain size; to give size to; to adjust in respect of size. Also with out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > have specific dimensions [verb (transitive)] > give size to or adjust size of
measure1340
size1623
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > bring into conformity > adjust to a standard or purpose > in respect of size
size1623
1623 C. Butler Feminine Monarchie (rev. ed.) iii. sig. F4 They serue to size out the Summer-doore to his due space of foure square inches.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 21 Pieces of Lead sized to, and nailed over the said Bolts.
1701 N. Grew Cosmol. Sacra ii. i. §12 That the Parts of the Organ, be fitly Cized, Shaped, and set together.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §290 The smaller end of it being sized as near as possible to the manholes of the floors.
1865 Trans. Illinois State Agric. Soc. 1861–4 5 233 There is no provision made for ‘sizing the gavels’ [in reaping].
1897 F. C. Moore How to build Home 90 The first-story beams are to be sized and leveled upon the sill and upon the foundation wall.
1981 Sci. Amer. Apr. 30/1 Second, says Dr. Derry, the book was sized to fit into a briefcase.
b. Agriculture. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > other systems of ploughing
hent?a1605
to throw down1620
size1707
bout1733
to turn off1754
back-furrow1855
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry (1721) I. 53 You must not let it lie long before you strick, sise, or plow it up into small Ridges.
1808 Ann. Agric. 45 342 [He] sizes the field, as it is styled, that is, draws out new ridges or stitches nearly in the direction of the old original ones.
1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 5 These..are what is termed sized; that is,..the ploughman sizes them by going one bout, or by once going and returning up the field.
c. To reduce (clay) to the proper consistency for moulding.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with clay > work with clay [verb (transitive)] > specific processes
weather1548
wedge1686
tamper1766
puddle1774
pug1843
size1889
1889 C. T. Davis Pract. Treat. Manuf. Bricks (ed. 2) 147 It is necessary to grind the same clay..several times..before it comes to the proper degree of plasticity for moulding; this operation is called ‘sizing the clay’.
5.
a. To classify or arrange according to size. Also transferred to class or rank (with others).
ΚΠ
a1635 T. Randolph Townsmen's Petition in Wks. (1875) II. 658 With proctors and with testers grave Our bailiffs you may size.
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 46 They sort and size all the Threads so, that they can apply them to make equal Cloaths.
1735 W. Somervile Chace i. 82 The Multitude Dispers'd, to size, to sort their various Tribes.
1805 Edinb. Rev. 6 463 Instead of being scientifically classified, and (if we may so speak) accurately sized, we may expect to find them [i.e. facts] tossed together with little judgment.
1886 Law Times' Rep. 53 696/2 The said broken products were then sized and separated.
b. Military. To arrange or draw up (men) in ranks according to stature.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > draw up (troops) > in battle array
setc1275
host1297
ordainc1300
devisec1325
battle1330
arraya1375
stuffc1390
addressa1393
embattle1393
fit?a1400
stedilla1400
fewterc1440
to pitch (also set) a fielda1500
order1509
pitcha1513
deraign1528
marshal1543
re-embattle1590
size1802
form1816
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. (at cited word) The flank troops of a squadron must be sized in the following manner.
1847 Infantry Man. (1854) 46 In this formation companies are to assemble.., being sized from flanks to centre.
1868 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army §857 All guards are..to be inspected and sized by the adjutant.
c. To single (plants). rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > cultivate plants or crops [verb (transitive)] > thin out
weed1544
size1660
suckera1661
single1731
rogue1764
to set out1812
flag1846
ratoon1907
1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. 119 It may be proper here to speak of weeding and sising. The latter operation is the plucking up roots or plants that are..offensive to others in the same beds, by reason of their nearness.
1764 Museum Rusticum (1765) 3 lvii. 241 It would be adviseable, at the time of first sizing the plants, to leave more than are necessary.
ΚΠ
1840 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 3rd Ser. xi. 152 Come, I'll size your pile... Plank down a pile of dollars..of any size you like, and I'll put down another of the same size.
1853 J. G. Baldwin Flush Times Alabama & Mississippi 113 The jury shortly after returned into court with a verdict which ‘sized their pile’.
1873 J. H. Beadle Undeveloped West xii. 198 They are satisfied to ‘size your pile’ and take quarter of it.
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xxiv. 300 I was resolved he should have at least one [bath]..if it sized up my whole influence and bankrupted the pile.
7.
a. colloquial (originally U.S.). Usually with up: To take the size or measure of; to regard so as to form an opinion of; to make an estimate of. Hence ˈsize-up n. an estimate. (U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > take the measure of
measure?a1425
gauge1583
to sum up1631
measure1684
to touch off1766
to take (also get) the measure of1790
to get (also take, etc.) a person's number1853
reckon1853
to put up1864
size1884
to weigh up1894
to read the room1975
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion [verb (transitive)] > form an opinion > of quality, character, etc.
resolve1613
to sum up1631
to take (also get) the measure of1790
size1884
to weigh up1894
size1896
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > [noun] > so as to fix value > instance
prizement1481
cessmentc1540
praisure1622
size-up1949
fix1965
1884 Cent. Mag. Nov. 54 Such a stranger..would have ‘sized them up’..simply as a pair of poverty-stricken Mexicans.
1891 H. Watson Web of Spider xi It was dark when I seized her, and I hadn't time to ‘size’ her.
1896 N. Davis Three Men & a God 148 The grey-haired..man who met us..mentally sized me up at once.
1924 E. O'Neill All God's Chillun got Wings 103 John scrutinizes their faces keenly, sizing up the situation.
1945 E. S. Gardner Case of Gold-digger's Purse v. 35 I always like to plan my campaign after I've sized up my man.
1949 Security (Charlottesville, Va.) May 1/2 Reminded him how wrong a bright man can be in his size-up of other folks.
1952 Sun (Baltimore) 22 Oct. 19/7 Casey's size-up of Woodling as a pinch-hitter was verified in the eighth inning.
1978 N.Y. Times 30 Mar. b3/1 A teen-ager in sneakers, sizing up the drinkers in the darkened bar as easy marks, whispered to a friend, ‘I wonder if they've got any change.’
b. With down: (a) To arrange in sizes downwards; (b) to size up; to comprehend.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > other specific arrangements > arrange in other specific manner [verb (transitive)] > in sizes downwards
size1896
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion [verb (transitive)] > form an opinion > of quality, character, etc.
resolve1613
to sum up1631
to take (also get) the measure of1790
size1884
to weigh up1894
size1896
1896 W. Morris in J. W. Mackail Life W. Morris (1899) I. 229 The stone slates are ‘sized down’, the smaller ones to the top, the bigger towards the eaves.
1896 Chambers's Jrnl. 25 Jan. 57 There's just one thing I don't size down. I know why I am here:..but why are you?
1912 A. Conan Doyle Lost World vi. 87 I want a man I can bank on. So I sized you down, and I'm bound to say that you came well out of it.
8. intransitive.
a. To be on an equality with; to match with; also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > be or become equal [verb (intransitive)]
evenOE
peerc1400
aperea1450
apparagea1450
likea1450
to make odds evena1616
sharea1616
twin1626
size1639
equalize1906
1639 J. Mayne Citye Match iv. viii Her birth Not being so high she will more size with you.
1902 O. Wister Virginian v. 62 It was a letter which..‘sized up’ very well with the letters written in my part of the United States.
b. To assume size; to increase in size.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > expand or enlarge [verb (intransitive)]
greateOE
grow1382
enlarge1481
to gain more feathers1600
spread1611
burnish1624
sizea1631
dilate1636
greaten1638
expatiate1650
widen1650
biggen1652
expand1791
magnify1814
a1631 J. Donne Poems (1633) 63 So As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow.
1818 J. Keats Endymion iii. 115 The gulphing whale was like a dot..Yet look upon it, and 'twould size and swell To its huge self.
c1866 G. M. Hopkins Poems (1967) 36 That a quince I pore upon? O no it is the sizing moon.
1926 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 13 July 4/5 Pears and apples are sizing well and developing nicely.
1940 Sun (Baltimore) 5 Sept. 7/5 Sweet potato tubers are developing and sizing in Western Maryland.
c. With up: to develop or take shape; to amount (to something); to reach the necessary standard. Cf. to measure up to at measure v. 12d. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > advance, progress, or develop [verb (intransitive)] > develop or take shape
size1884
the world > action or operation > ability > be able to [verb (intransitive)] > be fit or competent
size1905
the world > relative properties > quantity > amount to a quantity or amount [verb (transitive)]
waxc1330
amountc1350
amount1399
to make up1504
to run to ——1528
to make out1535
sum1609
amound1642
tella1794
size1917
1884 B. Nye Baled Hay 126 Time, at last, makes all things size up in proper shape.
1905 N.Y. Evening Post 21 Nov. 1 If the President does not think that Mr. Halpin sizes up as chairman of the County Committee, [etc.].
1910 J. Hart Vigilante Girl ii. 28 Burke isn't a bad sort—he sizes up about as well as most of them.
1917 H. James Ivory Tower ii. i. 89 The question of what Gray's ‘interest’..might size up to.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sizev.2
/sʌɪz/, U.S. /saɪz/ transitive. To cover, smear, prepare, treat, or stiffen with size. Cf. earlier oversize v.2, and blood-sized in Shakespeare & Fletcher Two Noble Kinsmen i. i. 105.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with coating or covering materials > work with coating or covering materials [verb (transitive)] > size
over-size1604
size1633
?1677 S. Primatt City & Covntry Purchaser & Builder 103 For Lathing, Plaistering, Rendring and sizing the Partition.
1702 R. Neve Apopiroscopy i. 65 Cold-clear it, i.e. Size it over.
1721 C. King Brit. Merchant II. 268 A Liquor is there prepared for sizing or gumming every Sheet.
1857 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. III. ii. §4. 93 In order to fit it [paper] for the ink, it is sized, or coated with a mixture of weak fine glue and alum.
1885 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 225/1 The paper..is then sized by passing the spurs through a strong solution of gelatin.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> see also
also refers to : sicesizen.
<
n.1a1300
n.2c1440
n.3a1483v.1a1400
v.21633see also