commensurate

Definition

Of a proportionate or similar measurable standard.

Etymology

First attested in 1641; borrowed from Late Latin commēnsūrātus, from com- (“together, with”) + mēnsūrātus, perfect passive participle of mēnsūrō (“to measure, to estimate”), (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from Latin mēnsūra (“measure”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).

Example Sentences

• "commensurate punishments"
• "If it is essential in our interests to maintain a quasi-permanent position of power on the Asian mainland as against the Chinese then we must be prepared to continue to pay the present cost in Vietnam indefinitely and to meet any escalation on the other side with at least a commensurate escalation of commitment of our own."
• "The $100 settlement was hardly commensurate with the humiliation his client had experienced."