dē-mētĭor | dēmensum, i (noun N) :
* V. a., to measure out, to measure, as a whole (whereas dimetior is to measure the parts of a whole—very rare): ut verba verbis quasi demensa et paria respondeant,Cic. Or. 12, 38; so Quint. 5, 10, 124 (al. dimensis): vos meministis quot calendis petere demensum cibum, i. e. the stated allowance of slaves, Plaut. Stich. 1, 2, 3.—Hence, , , n., a measured allowance, ration of slaves: quod ille unciatim de demenso suo comparsit,Ter. Ph. 1, 1, 9; Spart. Hadr. 7 fin.; Inscr. Orell. 2849; cf. Donat. ad Ter. l. l.; Sen. Ep. 80; Hor. Ep. 1, 14, 40 Orelli.—In a comic transf.: nunc argumentum vobis demensum dabo, Non modio neque trimodio, verum ipso horreo,Plaut. Men. prol. 14.

s. TLL