métrico

Métrico is an adjective used in several Romance languages, notably Portuguese and Spanish, to denote a relationship to measurement, metrics, or the metric system. It is also employed in mathematics and related fields to refer to the concept of a metric, a distance function that defines how far apart elements are within a given set. In this sense, a metric must satisfy standard properties such as non-negativity, identity of indiscernibles, symmetry, and the triangle inequality.

In Portuguese, métrico appears in phrases such as sistema métrico (the metric system), unidades métricas or distância métrica (metric distance), and função métrica (metric function). In mathematics, the term is used to describe the metric as a tool to measure distance between points. In poetry, métrica also denotes prosody and the metrical structure of verses, a field commonly called métrica poética in Portuguese.

In Spanish, métrico serves a similar role: it can describe something related to measurement or the metric system, and métrica is widely used for both metrics and the metrical analysis of verses. In poetic contexts, the term refers to the study of verse length and rhythm, while in science and industry, métricas or métricas de rendimiento refer to performance indicators and other quantitative measures.

Etymology traces métrico to Greek metron, meaning measure, via Latin metricus and through the common heritage of European languages. The term is closely related to the English metric and the French métrique, with all forming a family of words tied to measurement, distance, and rhythm.