measuring rod
Stick showing units
A measuring rod is a straight stick or bar of known length used to measure distances or dimensions.
The term appears in historical and biblical contexts where standardized measurement tools were important: The angel held a measuring rod to measure the temple.
Figuratively, a measuring rod is any standard against which things are judged: GDP has become the measuring rod for national success.
One who governs
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- straightedgeLine-drawing tool
- folding ruleHinged measuring stick
- staffOrganization's workers collectively
Level of quality accepted
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- criterionStandard for judgment
- gaugeStandard of measurement
barometer · touchstone · baseline · reference point · indicator · litmus test · gold standard
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- incrementUnit of increase
- divisionSplitting into parts
marking · dimension · length · span · extent · distance · interval · precision
ruler
One who governs
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- straightedgeLine-drawing tool
- folding ruleHinged measuring stick
standard
Level of quality accepted
gauge · barometer · touchstone · baseline · reference point · indicator · litmus test · gold standard
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- incrementUnit of increase
division · marking · dimension · length · span · extent · distance · interval · precision · accuracy
theodolite
Precision angle-measuring instrument
elevation · grade · plumbline · chain · baseline · triangulation · topography · contour · stake · alignment
blueprint
Detailed technical drawing
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- siteDesignated location
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
framing · plumb · level · square · setback · grade · alignment · benchmark · elevation · clearance
- Roman Surveyingdecumanus, cadastre, land division, libra, limes
- rodsrod, dowel, steel rod, glass rod, curtain rod
- antique instrumentsastrolabe, sextant, octant, quadrant, theodolite
- surveying equipmenttheodolite, theodolites, transit, transits, tripod
- ancient artifactsjade mask, Viking sword, bronze sculptures, antiquities, Roman coin
- measuring toolsruler, yardstick, tablespoon, teaspoon, caliper
measuring rodeyeballing
Estimating by sight alone
guesswork · rough estimate · approximation · estimation · guesstimate
measuring rodmeasuring tape
Marked flexible length-finder
tape measure · cloth tape · string · cord
measure, measured, measuring, measures, measurement, immeasurable, measurably, measurer, measureless