mete
与える・課す
解説 Definition
罰や正義などを公式に与えること。「mete out」の形で処罰を科す意味で使う。
Mete is a formal verb meaning to give or assign something, especially punishment, justice, or treatment. It is most often used in the phrase 'mete out.' This word is mainly found in legal, literary, or serious written contexts.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
mete は日常会話ではほとんど単独で見ないので、まず mete out でひとかたまりにして覚えるのが近道です。罰・正義・待遇などを相手に公的に割り当てる硬い表現で、mete out punishment, mete out justice が定番です。meet と紛らわしいですが、「会う」ではなく「罰や裁きを科す」と切り分けると定着しやすいです。
Do not try to remember `mete` alone first. Learn the chunk `mete out`, which often appears in news or formal writing: `mete out punishment`, `mete out justice`. Think of it as officially giving something out piece by piece.
例文
The judge decided to mete out the harshest punishment allowed under the law.
裁判官は法律で認められている最も厳しい罰を科すことにした。
It is not for us to mete out justice on our own; that is the role of the courts.
自分たちだけで裁きを下すのは私たちの役割ではなく、それは裁判所の役割である。
The teacher had to mete out punishments fairly to all students who broke the rules.
教師は規則を破ったすべての生徒に公平に処罰を科さなければならなかった。
mete の類義語・関連語
mete の語源・成り立ち Etymology
古英語 metan「量って分け与える」にさかのぼり、さらに印欧祖語の「測る」系の語根につながります。もともと“量を決めて配る”感覚なので、mete が「与える・課す」になりました。関連語は measure, meter。
Mete comes from Old English metan, meaning "to measure" or "to apportion." It is related to the same ancient root behind measure and meter. Because measuring and dividing were closely linked, the sense developed into "give out" or "assign," especially in a careful or decided way.
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