Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - metre

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