Hazel Le Goff (asker) Feb 24, 2016:

I know it seemed a simple word to post, but from the discussion here, I was probably right to question it. What is confusing me is the definition in the monolingual 'Petit Robert' i.e.:
Modèle servant à vérifier la forme, les dimensions.

So, as Howard says, it is actually the shape as well as the size. So we need a word that incorporates shape and size or maybe we can just be explicit and say:
'as is indicated by its shape and size', which although a little verbose, is probably closer to the source text. Otherwise the client would have just said 'taille' or 'dimension'.

Evgeny Artemov (X) Feb 24, 2016:

The size is the combination of all dimensions, too. :-)

Daryo Feb 24, 2016:

on the contrary ces foyers avaient une fonction domestique comme le montre leur gabarit
=
... as their shape shows it

makes perfect sense - gabarit is more complex than simply "size" it's primarily about the shape / contour i.e. the combination of all dimensions.

Evgeny Artemov (X) Feb 23, 2016:

Unlikely in this context, Howard, .

Howard Sugar Feb 23, 2016:

Garabit can also means shape or profile
Larousee Modèle servant à tracer, générer, vérifier ou contrôler le profil ou les dimensions que doivent avoir certains objets.
Toute dimension ou forme réglementée, en particulier d'un véhicule..

Evgeny Artemov (X) Feb 23, 2016:

I'd say 'dimensions' Why do you think it's height?