Talk:reed

Also an old measuring instrument?

Chambers 1908 defines reed, among other things, as "a measuring reed", which sounds a bit stupidly circular, but doesn't correspond to any sense we have. Equinox ◑ 12:37, 1 July 2019 (UTC)

@Equinox It's in the Bible in several places;

• And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. (Ezekiel, 40:5)
• And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. (Revelation, 11:1)
• And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. (Revelation, 21:15)

This is possibly etymologically connected with rood sense #3, or even a synonym. SpinningSpark 08:20, 3 July 2019 (UTC)

The OED has "A reed used as a measure; (hence) a unit of length based on this." SemperBlotto (talk) 08:25, 3 July 2019 (UTC)

I found a source giving a precise definition of the unit so I've put something in. SpinningSpark 23:21, 5 July 2019 (UTC)