I.to measure, mete; to measure off, mark out (not in Cic.).
I. In gen.: “stadium Hercules pedibus suis metatus est,” Gell. 1, 1, 2: “caelum,” Ov. F. 1, 309: “Indiam,” Plin. 6, 17, 21, § 57. —Poet., to traverse, pass through: “nunc nemoris alti densa metatur loca,” Sen. Hippol. 505: “agros,” Sil. 6, 58.—
II. In partic.
1. Act., to measure out, mark, or lay out: castra metati signa statuunt, Cael. ap. Non. 137, 18: castra, * Caes. B. C. 3, 13, 3: “cum ortu solis castra metabatur,” measured out the ground for a camp, encamped, pitched his camp, Sall. J. 106, 5: “agrum,” Liv. 21, 25: “agros,” Verg. G. 2, 274: “eam (i. e. Alexandriam),” Plin. 5, 10, 11, § 62: “regiones (for a temple),” Liv. 1, 10, 6: “castra,” Vulg. 3 Reg. 20, 27.—
2. Neutr., to encamp, pitch one's tent: “metarique sub ipso templo ... jussit,” Liv. 44, 7, 2: “post tabernaculum,” Vulg. Num. 3, 23.—Hence, transf., to erect, pitch, set up: “tabernacula ciliciis,” Plin. 6, 28, 32, § 143.—Act. collat. form, mēto , āre, to measure, measure out, etc.: “loca,” Verg. Cul. 172.—Pass.: “locus metatur,” Sen. Thyest. 462.—Often in part. perf.: “castris eo loco metatis,” Hirt. B. G. 8, 15; so, “castra,” Liv. 44, 37, 1: “porticus,” Hor. C. 2, 15, 15: “agellus,” id. S. 2, 2, 114: “prope Beroeam vallo metato,” Amm. 31, 9, 1.
