Decimetre

/ˈdɛsɪˌmiːtər/ noun

Definition

British and metric spelling of decimeter: a unit of length equal to one-tenth of a meter.

Etymology

British English variant spelling of 'decimeter,' using '-re' instead of '-er,' consistent with British preference for French-style metric terminology endings.

Kelly Says

The choice between 'decimeter' and 'decimetre' is a small linguistic remnant of the metric system's French origin—the French kept the '-re' ending, and British English followed suit while Americans simplified to '-er.'

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