One sense of the word "metric" comes to us via "metre", but that may not be the only etymology. An alternate definition seems to have a more direct relationship to the Latin and Greek and a more general meaning. From dictionary.com (and note the "Origin:" line at the end):
met·ric2 Audio Help /ˈmɛtrɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[me-trik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective 1. pertaining to distance: metric geometry. 2. metrical. noun 3. Mathematics. a nonnegative real-valued function having properties analogous to those of the distance between points on a real line, as the distance between two points being independent of the order of the points, the distance between two points being zero if, and only if, the two points coincide, and the distance between two points being less than or equal to the sum of the distances from each point to an arbitrary third point. [Origin: 175060; < L metricus < Gk metrikós of, relating to measuring. See meter2, -ic] --- Pat Naughtin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear All, > > I recall that, a few weeks ago, we discussed the fact that the word > 'metric' derives from the word 'metre' and that it is properly used > when it is applied in the sense used by Encarta: > > metric > met·ric adj > 1. relating to or using the metric system of measurement > > However, at this web site, http://www.metricmatters.net/ it appears > that the site's proponents have no idea of the existence of the word > 'metre' at all, let alone its common use as one of the base unit of > the world's best measuring system. > > By the way, Encarta defines 'metrics' with a single definition: > > metrics > met·rics n > the art of using meter in poetry (takes a singular verb) > > Cheers, > > Pat Naughtin > > PO Box 305 Belmont 3216, > Geelong, Australia > Phone: 61 3 5241 2008 > > Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has > helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the > modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that they > now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or selling for > their businesses. Pat provides services and resources for many > different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial, industrial > and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and in the USA. > Pat's clients include the Australian Government, Google, NASA, NIST, > and the metric associations of Canada, the UK, and the USA. See > http://www.metricationmatters.com/ for more metrication information, > contact Pat at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or to get the free > 'Metrication matters' newsletter go to: http:// > www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter/ to subscribe. > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
