commensurable

American  

[kuh-men-ser-uh-buhl, -sher-uh-] / kəˈmɛn sər ə bəl, -ʃər ə- /

adjective

1. having the same measure or divisor.

   The numbers 6 and 9 are commensurable since they are divisible by 3.

2. suitable in measure; proportionate.

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commensurable British  

/ -ʃə-, kəˈmɛnsərəbəl /

adjective

1. maths

   1. having a common factor

   2. having units of the same dimensions and being related by whole numbers

      hours and minutes are commensurable

2. well-proportioned; proportionate

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Other Word Forms

• commensurability noun
• commensurableness noun
• commensurably adverb

Etymology

Origin of commensurable

1550–60; < Late Latin commēnsūrābilis, equivalent to Latin com- com- + mēnsūrābilis (equivalent to mēnsūrā ( re ) ( commensurate ) + -bilis -ble )

Example Sentences

Difficulties have resulted from the fact that these three periods are not commensurable; that’s a fancy way of saying that one does not divide evenly into any of the others.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

The analogous is not always the same as the commensurable.

From The Guardian • Jul. 15, 2011

It is a little easier to start with the hexagon, however, for we are already nearer the circle, and the side and perimeter are both commensurable with the radius.

From The Teaching of Geometry by Smith, David Eugene

Conversation, as we know, denotes an interchange of commensurable meanings.

From The Approach to Philosophy by Perry, Ralph Barton

Now there can be no such unlimited succession of descending integers: consequently, it is impossible that a/b+ c/d+, etc. can have a commensurable limit.

From A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume II by Smith, David Eugene