A metric unit of length equal to one-hundredth of a meter, or about 0.39 inches.
From centi- (one-hundredth) plus metre (from Greek metron, measure). This compound was created in 1795 as part of the metric system's rational measurement framework.
The centimeter reveals why the metric system conquered science—it's perfectly logical that 100 centimeters equal 1 meter, whereas figuring out that 12 inches equal 1 foot requires memorization with no underlying logic!
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