\Met"ric\, a. [L. metricus, Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]trique.
See {Meter} rhythm.]
1. Relating to measurement; involving, or proceeding by,
   measurement.
2. Of or pertaining to the meter as a standard of
   measurement; of or pertaining to the decimal system of
   measurement of which a meter is the unit; as, the metric
   system; a metric measurement.
{Metric analysis} (Chem.), analysis by volume; volumetric
   analysis.
{Metric system}, a system of weights and measures originating
   in France, the use of which is required by law in many
   countries, and permitted in many others, including the
   United States and England. The principal unit is the meter
   (see {Meter}). From this are formed the are, the liter,
   the stere, the gram, etc. These units, and others derived
   from them, are divided decimally, and larger units are
   formed from multiples by 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000. The
   successive multiplies are designated by the prefixes,
   deca-, hecto-, kilo-, and myria-; successive parts by
   deci-, centi-, and milli-. The prefixes mega- and micro-
   are sometimes used to denote a multiple by one million,
   and the millionth part, respectively. See the words formed
   with these prefixes in the Vocabulary. For metric tables,
   see p. 1682.