Etymologically
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Metric, of the metre as a unit of length, is from French; metric, of metre in verse or measurement, is from Greek.[1][2]

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈmɛt.ɹɪk/[3]

metric1 of the metric system

Etymology

The metric of the metric system is borrowed from French métrique, from mètre (“metre”) (see metre),[4][5][1][2] and partly a shortening of the earlier English metrical (1797) in the same sense.[5][4] The French unit is from Ancient Greek μέτρον (métron, “measure”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of the system of weights and measures based on the metre: 1855 in Etymonline, with metric system by the same year;[4] 1862 in Merriam-Webster and 1864 in Barnhart and the OED.[1][5][6]

Semantic evolution

Metricize was used from 1873, replaced by metricate and metrication in 1965.[5] Informally, the metric is short for the metric system.[7]

Timeline

  • 1797 – metrical, of the metre.[5][4]
  • 1855 – metric; metric system.[4]
  • 1873 – metricize.[5]
  • 1965 – metrication.[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Of or relating to the metre or the metric system.

Word family

  • metrication
  • metricate
  • metric system
  • metric ton

metric2 measure; metre in verse

Etymology

The other metric is borrowed from Latin metrica, from Ancient Greek μετρική (metrikḗ, “prosody”), the feminine of μετρικός (metrikós),[4][1][2] from μέτρον (métron, “measure, metre”),[4] from Proto-Indo-European *meh₁- (“to measure”).[4] In its other senses it is a variant of metrical.[1][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The science of versification: 1760 in Etymonline, the OED and Merriam-Webster.[4][6][1] Middle English had metrik, the branch of music dealing with measure or time, in the late 15th century, from metricus.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

In mathematics and physics a metric is a function defining distance between points, from 1921.[6] The general sense, a standard or system of measurement, as in business metrics, is recent.[8]

Timeline

  • late 15th century – metrik, in music.[4]
  • 1760 – the science of metre.[4][6]
  • 1921 – a metric in mathematics.[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A standard or system of measurement.
  2. (mathematics) A function defining the distance between any two points of a set or space.
  3. Poetic metre; the study of metre.

Adjective

  1. Relating to distance; metrical.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  2. ^ a b c d Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  6. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  8. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin