metric
UK[ˈmetrɪk]US[ˈmetrɪk]
adj
Relating to or based on the meter as a unit of length, or the metric system of measurement.
adj
Relating to or using a system of measurement based on the number ten.
n
A standard or system for measuring something, often using numbers or statistics.
Morpheme Breakdown
metr
ic
metr
measure
ic
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'metric' originates from the Greek 'metron', meaning 'measure'. This root passed into Latin as 'metricus' and later into French as 'métrique', before being adopted into English. The suffix '-ic', also of Greek origin via Latin, is used to form adjectives. Therefore, the literal construction 'pertaining to measure' evolved to specifically denote the decimal system of measurement (the metric system) developed during the French Revolution, and by extension, any standard system of measurement.
Analysis
Structure: metr (measure) + ic (adjective suffix)
'metr' is from Greek 'metron', meaning 'measure'. '-ic' is a suffix from Latin '-icus', Greek '-ikos', used to form adjectives meaning 'of, pertaining to, or characterized by'.
Examples
Most countries around the world use the metric system for trade and science.
We need to establish clear performance metrics for the project.
The poem has a regular metric pattern of iambic pentameter.