Adjacent Words

metric system definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter and the kilogram and the second

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1864 a decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter and on the kilogram

Britannica Concise

International decimal system of weights and measures, based on the meter (m) for length and the kilogram (kg) for mass, originally adopted in France in 1795. All other metric units were derived from the meter, incl. the gram (g) for weight (1 cc of water at its maximum density) and the liter (l, or L) for capacity (0.0001 cu m). In the 20th cent., the metric system became the basis for the International System of Units, which is now used officially almost worldwide.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Metric Met"ric, a. [L. metricus, Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]trique. See Meter rhythm.] 1. Relating to measurement; involving, or proceeding by, measurement. 2. Of or pertaining to the meter as a standard of measurement; of or pertaining to the decimal system of measurement of which a meter is the unit; as, the metric system; a metric measurement. Metric analysis (Chem.), analysis by volume; volumetric analysis. Metric system, a system of weights and measures originating in France, the use of which is required by law in many countries, and permitted in many others, including the United States and England. The principal unit is the meter (see Meter). From this are formed the are, the liter, the stere, the gram, etc. These units, and others derived from them, are divided decimally, and larger units are formed from multiples by 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000. The successive multiplies are designated by the prefixes, deca-, hecto-, kilo-, and myria-; successive parts by deci-, centi-, and milli-. The prefixes mega- and micro- are sometimes used to denote a multiple by one million, and the millionth part, respectively. See the words formed with these prefixes in the Vocabulary. For metric tables, see p. 1682.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Metric system Met"ric sys"tem See Metric, a.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

The metric system is the system of measurement that uses metres, grams, and litres. N-SING: the N

Moby Thesaurus

appraisal, appraisement, approximation, assessment, assize, assizement, calculation, computation, correction, determination, estimate, estimation, evaluation, gauging, instrumentation, measure, measurement, measuring, mensuration, quantification, quantization, rating, survey, surveying, telemetering, telemetry, triangulation, valuation