mecometer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely rare / TechnicalHighly technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “mecometer” mean?
An instrument for measuring the length of newborn infants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An instrument for measuring the length of newborn infants.
A specialized medical device used primarily in obstetrics and neonatology to obtain precise measurements of an infant's body length immediately after birth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in usage, as the term is obsolete in both varieties. It might appear with equal rarity in historical medical texts from both regions.
Connotations
Purely technical and historical. May connote outdated medical practice or very specialized anthropometric research.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary language. Its use would be marked as an archaism or a deliberate use of precise technical terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “mecometer” in a Sentence
The midwife [VERB] the [mecometer] to [OBTAIN MEASUREMENT].A [mecometer] [VERB] used for [PURPOSE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mecometer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The practitioner will mecometer the infant to record its length.
American English
- The nurse mecometered the newborn as part of the standard assessment.
adverb
British English
- The infant was measured mecometrically.
American English
- The length was assessed mecometer-wise, following the old protocol.
adjective
British English
- The mecometric reading was recorded in the notes.
American English
- They reviewed the mecometer data from the historical study.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Might appear in historical or highly specialized papers on anthropometry or the history of obstetrics.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The only plausible context, specifically in historical medical/obstetric texts or discussions of antique medical instruments.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mecometer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mecometer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mecometer”
- Misspelling as 'macrometer' or 'micrometer' (which are tools for measuring small objects).
- Using it in any non-technical context.
- Pronouncing the first syllable as /miːk/ (like 'meek') instead of /mɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is an extremely rare, obsolete technical term. You will almost certainly never encounter it in normal use, even in medical settings.
Functionally, they are the same. 'Infantometer' is the standard modern term used in paediatrics and obstetrics. 'Mecometer' is an older, now largely obsolete term.
No. Using it would be confusing and sound pretentious. Use 'measuring board for babies' or 'infantometer' if the context requires it.
It derives from Greek: 'mekos' (μήκος) meaning 'length' + 'metron' (μέτρον) meaning 'measure'.
An instrument for measuring the length of newborn infants.
Mecometer is usually highly technical / medical in register.
Mecometer: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈkɒmɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪˈkɑːmɪt̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is too technical for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MEa-sure a CO-METER' (like a meter/measure for a newborn). Or link 'meco-' to Greek 'mekos' (length) + 'meter' (measure).
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR PRECISION (A device that embodies the concept of obtaining exact, scientific data at the beginning of life).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'mecometer'?