Metre
/ˈmiːtə/noun
A metric unit of length equal to 100 centimeters.
Did you know?The metre was originally proposed after the French Revolution as a universal, nature-based standard, tied to the Earth rather than any king, temple, or empire.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meh₂-
“to measure”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέτρον (metron)
“a measure, something used for measuring”
Late Latin
Latin
metrum
“measure, rhythm, verse measure”
Old French
Old French
mètre
“measure”
18th Century
French
mètre
“the new decimal unit of length based on a fraction of the Earth’s meridian”
Modern English
English
metre
“the standard metric unit of length”