Etimology
Attested since the 14th century, originally meant a “law or regulation that determines the amount to be paid”, from Middle English syse, sise (“regulation, control, limit”), from Old French cise, sise, aphetism of assise (“assize”), from the verb asseoir (“to sit down”), from Latin assidēre, composed of ad- (“to, towards, at”) + sedeō (“sit; settle down”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sed-. Displaced native Old English miċelnes (literally “bigness”).
noun
size (countable and uncountable, plural sizes)
The dimensions or magnitude of a thing; how big something is. [from 15th c.]
A specific set of dimensions for a manufactured article, especially clothing. [from 16th c.]
(graph theory) A number of edges in a graph. [from 20th c.]
(figurative, dated) Degree of rank, ability, character, etc.
An instrument consisting of a number of perforated gauges fastened together at one end by a rivet, used for measuring the size of pearls
(US) Short for chili size (“hamburger served with chili con carne”).
(obsolete outside dialects) An assize. [from 14th c.]
(obsolete) A regulation, piece of ordinance. [15th c.]
(obsolete) A regulation determining the amount of money paid in fees, taxes etc. [14th–18th c.]
(obsolete) A fixed standard for the magnitude, quality, quantity etc. of goods, especially food and drink. [15th–17th c.]
Examples
The size of the building seemed to have increased since I was last there.
Ashley: Look at the size of that ship!Kaidan: The Ascension. Flagship of the Citadel fleet.Joker: Well, size isn't everything.Ashley: Why so touchy, Joker?Joker: I'm just saying you need firepower, too.
[The researchers] noticed many of their pieces of [plastic marine] debris sported surface pits around two microns across. Such pits are about the size of a bacterial cell. Closer examination showed that some of these pits did, indeed, contain bacteria, […].
I don't think we have the red one in your size.
men of a less size and quality**
the middle or lower size of people
I know you would have women above the law, but it is all a lye; I heard his lordship say at size, that no one is above the law.
to scant my sizes
Related words
synonyms
See also Thesaurus:size
hyponyms
bid size
cup size
effect size
family size
file size
shoe size
related terms
is there a smaller size
one-size-fits-all
size matters
size queen
size up
verb
size (third-person singular simple present sizes, present participle sizing, simple past and past participle sized)
(transitive) To adjust the size of; to make a certain size.
(transitive) To classify or arrange by size.
(transitive, colloquial) To approximate the dimensions, estimate the size of.
(intransitive) To take a greater size; to increase in size.
(UK, Cambridge University, obsolete) To order food or drink from the buttery; hence, to enter a score, as upon the buttery book.
(transitive, obsolete) To swell; to increase the bulk of.
Examples
a statute […] to size weights, and measures
Our desires give them fashion, and so, / As they wax lesser, fall, as they size, grow.
2. Queen. […] lend us a knee;But touch the ground for us no longer timeThen a Doves motion, when the head's pluckt off:ell him if he i'th blood cizd field, lay swolneShowing the Sun his Teeth; grinning at the MooneWhat you would doe.
Related words
hyponyms
(to adjust size): resize
Etimology
From Middle English syse, of unclear origin; related to Old Italian sisa (“a glue used by painters”), perhaps ultimately related to size / syse (“amount”), or perhaps shortened from assisa, from assiso (“to make to sit, to seat, to place”)
noun
size (countable and uncountable, plural sizes)
A thin, weak glue used as primer for paper or canvas intended to be painted upon.
Wallpaper paste.
The thickened crust on coagulated blood.
Any viscous substance, such as gilder's varnish.
Examples
The beginning of a new episode of work for Bradly was an agitated niggling over six-by-four squares of cardboard coated with size and white lead, prepared by himself to save an experimental waste of canvas.
verb
size (third-person singular simple present sizes, present participle sizing, simple past and past participle sized)
(transitive) To apply glue or other primer to a surface which is to be painted.
noun
size (plural sizes)
Alternative form of sice (“number six in dice games”)