a. (sb.). [ad. L. commensūrābil-is (Boeth.) having a common measure, f. com- together + mensūrābilis that can be measured, f. mensūrā-re to measure (see -BLE), f. mensūra measure, f. mens- ppl. stem of metīri to measure, METE. Also in French (Oresme 14th c.), which may be the intermediate source of the Eng.]
1. Of numbers or magnitudes: Having, or reducible to, a common measure; divisible without remainder by the same quantity. Also, in wider sense, measurable by the same standard or scale of values. Const. with, to.
1557. Recorde, Whetst., B j. .20. and .36. be commensurable, seyng .4. is a common diuisor for theim bothe.
1570. Billingsley, Euclid, X. Def. i. 229. All numbers are commensurable one to another.
1827. Hutton, Course Math., I. 325, note. Divided into parts that are commensurable.
1856. Dove, Logic Chr. Faith, III. 142. Mind is not commensurable with Space.
1870. Jebb, Sophocles’ Electra (ed. 2), p. xiii. Works of art are commensurable only when the theories which produced them have a common basis.
2. Proportionable in measure, size, amount, etc.; having a suitable proportion, proportionate to.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith, ii. (1845), 29. His pleasure and His work are commensurable.
a. 1665. J. Goodwin, Filled w. the Spirit (1867), 490. God … hath rewards commensurable to every man’s case.
1691. Ray, Creation, I. (1704), 183. Such a Neck as is commensurable to their Legs.
1789. Bentham, Princ. Legisl., xv. § 5. The two punishments must be perfectly commensurable.
† 3. Capable of measurement, measurable (by something else). Obs.
1654. Trapp, Comm. Ezra vi. 9. We must not conceive that God is commensurable by any place.
1660. R. Coke, Just. Vind. (Arts & Sc.), 12. If I see such a solid body, the Understanding judgeth whether this body be commensurable or not, by any notion … before understood.
4. as sb. A commensurable quantity: also fig.
1856. Dove, Logic Chr. Faith, IV. ii. 227. Not as commensurables, measuring a greater by ourselves the less, but, etc.
