Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
METER
I. noun see: measure Date: before 12th century
1. systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse:, rhythm that continuously repeats a single basic pattern , rhythm characterized by regular recurrence of a systematic arrangement of basic patterns in larger figures , a measure or unit of metrical verse, a fixed metrical pattern ; verse form, the basic recurrent rhythmical pattern of note values, accents, and beats per measure in music,
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from meten to mete
Date: 14th century
one that measures,
III. noun
Etymology: French mètre, from Greek metron measure
Date: 1797
the base unit of length in the International System of Units that is equal to the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in {frac1/299,792,458} second or to about 39.37 inches,
IV. noun
Etymology: -meter
Date: 1815
an instrument for measuring and sometimes recording the time or amount of something , postage meter ,
V. transitive verb
Date: 1878
to measure by means of a meter, to supply in a measured or regulated amount, to print postal indicia on by means of a postage meter