metricn.1adj.1
/ˈmɛtrɪk/, U.S. /ˈmɛtrɪk/ A. n.1
I. Senses relating to poetic metre.† 1. The branch of study that deals with metre, esp. in poetry. (Now superseded by metrics n.) Obsolete.In quot. 1480 personified.
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society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > study of poetry > [noun] > prosody > metrics
metric1480
rhythmic1603
stichology1737
metre1786
metrology1889
metrics1892
1480 Curia Sapiencie (Caxton) 2084 There mayst thou see of Dame Armonyca, Of Dame Metryk, and of Dame Rithmica.
1761 F. H. E. Stiles in Philos. Trans. 1760 (Royal Soc.) 51 730 To harmonic, rhythmic and metric, in the theoretic, respectively answered melopϕa, rhythmopϕa, and poetic, in the practic.
1884 Mahaffy in Contemp. Rev. June 904 Is the study of metric really banished from English classics?
2. = metre n.1 1a.
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society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > metre > [noun]
rhymec1175
metrec1390
measurec1450
rhythm1656
mete1768
metric1883
1883 A. Ainger Let. 11 June (Trin. Cambr. Add. c. 68/9) By the way, who—before Shakespeare—had used his Venus & Adonis metric?
1933 T. S. Eliot Use of Poetry ii. 38 I do not even believe that the metric of The Testament of Beauty is successful.
1941 R. Girvan in Proc. Brit. Acad. 1940 331 The metric is astonishing and cannot be paralleled in Anglo-Saxon poetry.
1951 T. S. Eliot Poetry & Drama ii. 20 He [sc. Yeats] wrote plays in verse..in a metric which..is not really a form of speech quite suitable for anybody except mythical kings and queens.
1958 A. Ginsberg Let. Apr. in A. Ginsberg & L. Ginsberg Family Business (2001) 107 The ideal is for me a sensitive prose or poetry syntax or metric that is practical..—where a normal metric or syntax works, fine—but where it doesn't apply, why?
1974 C. Bukowski Burning in Water drowning in Flame (1997) 197 He knows images, similes, metaphors, figures, conceits, assonance, alliteration, metrics, yes metrics like, you know—iambic, trochaic, anapestic, spondaic.
II. Senses relating to measurement generally.
3. Mathematics and Physics. A binary function of a topological space which gives, for any two points of the space, a value equal to the distance between them, or a value treated as analogous to distance for the purpose of analysis.A metric d(x, y) usually has the following properties: (i) it is symmetric, i.e. d(x, y) = d(y, x) for any two points x and y in the space; (ii) it satisfies the triangle inequality, i.e. d(x, y) + d(y, z) ≧ d(x, z); (iii) d(x, y) = 0 if and only if x = y.
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the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [noun] > expression > function
function1758
exponential1784
potential function1828
syzygy1850
permutant1852
Green function1863
theta-function1871
Greenian1876
Gudermannian1876
discriminoid1877
Weierstrassian function1878
gradient1887
beta function1888
distribution function1889
Riemann zeta function1899
Airy integral1903
Poisson bracket1904
Stirling approximation1908
functional1915
metric1921
Fourier transform1923
recursive function1934
utility function1934
Airy function1939
transfer function1948
objective function1949
restriction1949
multifunction1954
restriction mapping1956
scalar function1956
Langevin function1960
mass function1961
1921 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 99 104 In the non-Euclidean geometry of Riemann, the metric is defined by certain quantities, gμν, which are identified by Einstein with the potentials of the gravitational field.
1934 C. C. Krieger tr. W. Sierpínski Introd. Gen. Topol. vi. 90 In every metric space M a metric, which is equivalent to the given one, can be established,..such that the new distances between the elements of M are all ≦1.
1956 E. H. Hutten Lang. Mod. Physics iii. 114 Riemann gave a better representation for the multiplicity of geometries by taking space to be a three-dimensional manifold, and it is the metric given by a mathematical expression referring to distance that decides the type of geometry.
1962 B. H. Arnold Intuitive Concepts Elem. Topol. viii. 138 The function of d is a metric in X if and only if the following conditions are satisfied for all points x, y, and z of X. (1) d(x, y) ≥ 0. (2) d(x, y) = 0 iff x = y. (3) d(x, y) = d(y, x). (4) d(x, y) + d(y, z) ≥ d(x, z).
1965 J. D. North Measure of Universe iv. 63 In 1908 Minkowski introduced into the context of the Special Theory of Relativity the metric now known by his name: ds2 = dt2 − (1/c2)(dx2 + dy2 + dz2).
1990 R. S. Ward & R. O. Wells Twistor Geom. & Field Theory vi. 291 We can also consider objects which do not depend on the metric as such, but which do rescale under the metric rescalings.
4. A system or standard of measurement; a criterion or set of criteria stated in quantifiable terms.
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the world > relative properties > measurement > [noun] > a system or standard of measuring > in terms of which stated conclusions hold
metric1934
1934 H. C. Warren Dict. Psychol. 166/2 Metric, a system or standard of measurement in terms of which the conclusions stated hold.
1951 J. S. Bruner in R. R. Blake & G. V. Ramsey Perception v. 141 Our basic metric will involve the comparison of group scores.
1968 Language 44 715 The simplicity metric demands that one choose the unmarked segment as the underlying one, since its choice leads to less complexity in the phonological representation.
1973 A. H. Sommerstein Sound Pattern Anc. Greek iii. 94 This statement does not depend on the acceptance of a feature-counting simplicity metric. P. H. Matthews, in a seminar at Cambridge, has criticized the assumption that such a metric is the appropriate evaluation measure for grammars.
1993 Computing 19 Aug. 21/3 ‘You can find relevant metrics for all key requirements,’ he says. ‘Ease of learning, for example, can be measured by setting targets for novice users that are a high percentage of the known performance of experts.’
5. colloquial. In plural. Measurements, figures, statistics.
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1988 Conservation Biol. 2 338 Prediction of bird-community metrics in urban woodlots.
2002 Business 2.0 Oct. 124 (advt.) ICG owns and manages its own network, and the latency and downtime metrics in their service level agreement..are incredible, better than any other carrier I've found.
2004 Independent on Sunday (Nexis) 23 May (Business section) 5 MmO2 has delivered a double whammy of strong operational metrics and excellent financial progress.
B. adj.1
I. Senses relating to poetic metre.
1. = metrical adj.1 1; †(more generally) poetic (obsolete). rare.
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society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > metre > [adjective]
metrical?a1475
measureda1586
numbery1605
metric1637
metred1711
1637 N. Whiting Le Hore di Recreatione 143 Taxing the faintnesse of my Metricke fires, Because my lines tread not the common path Of Fortune, issue, and appeasing wrath.
1813 J. H. Wiffen Poems by Three Friends 96 Turn with enraptured feelings o'er, The pleasing tomes of metric lore.
1876 J. S. Blackie Lang. & Lit. Sc. Highlands ii. 87 Hesiod with his metric fragments of rustic wisdom.
1929 Musical Q. 15 18 Even the mensuralist..expressed the opinion that the Gregorian composers probably were not clearly conscious of writing metric arrangements.
1980 MLN 95 2 What constitutes, within his particular system, the limits of a metric syllable.
II. Senses relating to measurement generally.
2. Of, involving, used in, or determined by measurement; (esp. in Mathematics and Physics) relating to, having, or designating a metric (sense A. 3).
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1866 Q. Jrnl. Pure & Appl. Math. 7 54 Euclid i. 47 is an example of..metric geometry.
1873 Proc. London Math. Soc. 4 387 This metric geometry is due to Prof. Cayley.
1916 Monthly Notices Royal Astron. Soc. 76 701 The line-element ds must be invariant for all transformations, and it entirely characterises the metric properties of the four-dimensional time-space.
1923 J. Rice Relativity xiii. 312 Space-time is a metric four-dimensional manifold.
1963 R. A. Rosenbaum Introd. Projective Geom. & Mod. Algebra i. 12 Note that all the items of this list of non~projective properties involve magnitudes of lengths and angles. Such ‘metric’ properties are the concern of traditional elementary geometry.
1971 Nature 5 Nov. 35/1 It has the properties of a metric function in a space, the elements of which are finite non-empty sets.
1989 Nature 27 Apr. 759/1 The metric traits of the Kebara bone are compared with the hyoid bones of a large sample of anatomically modern humans.
Compounds
metric geometry n. Mathematics the branch of geometry that deals with the measurement and comparison of distances between points; the geometry of metric spaces.
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1866 Q. Jrnl. Pure & Appl. Math. 7 54 Euclid i. 47 is an example of..metric geometry.
1910 O. Veblen & J. W. Young Projective Geom. I. i. 12 The difference between projective and the ordinary Euclidean metric geometry.
1963 R. A. Rosenbaum Introd. Projective Geom. & Mod. Algebra i. 12 The situation may be loosely described by stating that metric geometry treats of more highly restricted properties than those of projective geometry.
1972 M. Kline Math. Thought xxxviii. 919 In four metric geometries, that is, Euclidean, hyperbolic, and the two elliptic geometries, the transformations which are permitted in the corresponding subgroup are what is usually called rigid motions.
metric space n. [after German metrischer Raum (F. Hausdorff Grundzüge der Mengenlehre (1914) vii. 211)] Mathematics a topological space together with a metric (sense A. 3) defined for all pairs of points of the space.
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1900 Amer. Jrnl. Math. 22 336 One speaks of the geometries of metric space, of unilateral and of bilateral projective space.]
1919 Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 20 213 We develop the general theory in terms of five completely independent properties of a development Δ which together suffice to make the developed class a compact metric space.
1927 Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 33 14 The following illustrations convey some notion of the scope of the concept metric space. If the aggregate P denotes the linear continuum of all real numbers and (p, q) = |p − q |, the resulting space is metric. Similarly euclidean space is also metric.
1968 E. T. Copson Metric Spaces ii. 21 Different choices of metric on a given set E give rise to different metric spaces.
1983 T. W. Gamelin & R. E. Greene Introd. Topol. i. 4 The union of a family of open subsets of a metric space X is an open subset of X.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
metricadj.2n.2
/ˈmɛtrɪk/, U.S. /ˈmɛtrɪk/ A. adj.2
1. Of, relating to, or based on the metre; spec. designating the decimal system of measurement which has the metre, litre, and gram (or kilogram) as its respective units of length, volume, and mass.Each unit in the metric system has a definite relation to the metre; for instance, the gram, the unit of mass, originally represented the mass of a cubic centimetre of water.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > [adjective] > serving as a unit of measurement > standard (of units) > specific standard
Scots1632
Scotch1638
Rhineland1646
metrical1797
imperial1814
international1857
metric1862
1862 Times 10 Sept. 5/6 The Government should sanction the use of the metric system..in the levying of Customs' duties.
1864 Act 27 & 28 Vict. c. 117 An Act to render permissive the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures... This Act may be cited as the ‘Metric Weights and Measures Act, 1864’.
1873 J. C. Maxwell Treat. Electr. & Magnetism I. 2 In France, and other countries which have adopted the metric system.
1873 I. Gregory Brit. Metric Syst. 47 How many metric pints are there in 20 thousand ‘reputed pint’ bottles?
1898 Daily News 27 May 7/3 That the government be urged to adopt the metric weights and measures.
1943 H. B. Lemon & M. Ference Analyt. Exper. Physics ii. 38/1 Recently adopted by an international congress as the official system of metric units is the meter-kilogram-second (MKS) system.
1960 Pract. Wireless 36 422/1 You could..ask a friend who has a metric balance to weigh 2 ½ grammes for you.
1986 A. Limon in A. Limon et al. Home Owner Man. (ed. 2) i. ii. 49 It takes about 50 metric bricks to lay a square metre when flat and about 60 when they are laid on their sides.
1991 Times Educ. Suppl. 22 Mar. 10/5 The school set up three sets of about a dozen parents, covering aspects of mathematics like number, spatial relations and metric measurement.
2. Having or using the metric system as the principal system of weights and measures.
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the world > relative properties > measurement > [adjective] > serving as a unit of measurement > standard (of units) > specific standard > having metric system as standard
metric1919
metricated1969
1919 Nature 4 Sept. 13/2 A fourth matter..which was discussed was the proposal to adopt in future legislation for metric countries the M.K.S. system of units.
1961 B.S.I. News Apr. 16/1 The controversial issue of whether this country should ‘go metric’.
1974 Times 22 May 6 Virtually every country in the world is metric.
1994 Gazette (Montreal) 18 Mar. b2/4 Why do you insist on printing imperial measurements more than 20 years after Canada became a metric country?
B. n.2
Metric measurement; the metric system.
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the world > relative properties > measurement > [noun] > a system or standard of measuring > metric
metric1969
1969 Times 21 July p. vii/5 Metric is so much easier to teach and to learn.
1970 Daily Tel. 21 May 10/5 Metric was so simple that a toddler could learn it, he said. And the litre was not strange to car-buyers.
1973 Country Life 27 Dec. 2186/1 Once we get used to metric, things should be simpler for all of us.
1992 Trans World Skateboarding Mar. 43 At the edge of a wide, open sidewalk exactly three meters (is metric throwing you off?) from the stairs, an oval logo was stamped into the concrete.
Compounds
metric hundredweight n. a metric weight equal to 50 kilograms, approx. 110.2 lb.
ΚΠ
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. 1047/2 The metric hundredweight contains 50 kilograms.
1994 M. Darton & J. Clark Dict. Measurem. 272 Metric hundredweight, an informal term, used mainly in North America, for 50 kilograms.
metric mile n. Sport (chiefly Athletics) a distance of 1500 metres (also, esp. in Horse Racing: a distance of 1600 metres, approx. 1750 yards); a race run over this distance (in Athletics, regarded as the modern equivalent of the mile race).
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1948 Sat. Evening Post (Philadelphia) 10 July 95/1 Even little Luxembourg has a fellow..who..rates with Dodds as a contender in the metric mile.
1976 Wall St. Jrnl. 14 June 1/4 She is ranked seventh in the world in..the ‘metric mile’ or 1,500-meter run.
1999 Dominion (Wellington, N.Z.) (Electronic ed.) 1 Nov. Ritchie publicly predicted last Thursday that Showella could not win the $30,000 Jim and John Evans Metric Mile.
metric ton n. = tonne n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > [noun] > unit or denomination of weight > metric gram(me) > kilogram > metric ton or one thousand kilos
metric ton1864
tonne1877
1864 Jrnl. Statist. Soc. 27 468 For statistical purposes it is convenient to take one unit, the metric ton.
1898 Econ. Jrnl. 8 315 The coal consumption of Hungary rose from 3,900,000 metric tons in 1890 to 5,500,000 in 1894.
1924 Times Trade & Engin. Suppl. 29 Nov. 238/3 The output of certain important goods has considerably increased:..sugar to 318,987 metric tons, against 270,279.
1957 G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. viii. 546 A quantity of salt of the order of 100,000 metric tons per year is transported.
1973 Guardian 25 Jan. 7/5 The Government yesterday took a hard line with newsprint manufacturers by allowing increases of only £2 a metric ton (tonne).
1990 Sci. Amer. Apr. 46/2 A body whose mass is more than 1,000 metric tons careers through the atmosphere practically unhindered.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> see also
also refers to : -metriccomb. form
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n.1adj.11480adj.2n.21862see also