1. n. (US meter) a metric unit and the base SI unit of linear measure, equal to about 39.4 inches, and reckoned as the length of the path travelled by light in a vacuum during 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Phrases and idioms:
metre-kilogram-second denoting a system of measure using the metre, kilogram, and second as the basic units of length, mass, and time.
Usage:
Abbr.: mks.
Derivatives:
metreage n.
Etymology: F m{egrave}tre f. Gk metron measure 2. n. (US meter)
1. a any form of poetic rhythm, determined by the number and length of feet in a line. b a metrical group or measure.
2 the basic pulse and rhythm of a piece of music.
Etymology: OF metre f. L metrum f. Gk metron MEASURE