-Metr-, as a root, from http://www.prefixsuffix.com/rootchart.php:
metr: admeasure, apportion. E.g., metrics, asymmetric, parametric, telemetry
"Admeasure, apportion" means distribution. So I can't understand: how is this meaning of -metr- demonstrated in the examples "metrics, asymmetric, parametric, telemetry"?
Metr, as a word, from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/metr:
metr: meter (unit of length). measuring tape, measuring rule.
I feel this meaning of metr makes more sense in the examples "metrics, asymmetric, parametric, telemetry".
So how shall I understand the first source?
Best Answer
The table is incorrect. The metr in words like metrics, geometry, and metronome is not a separate root, but simply a variant of meter (from the Greek metron “measure” or metra “portion”).
The common suffix -metry specifically means “measurement,” as used in telemetry “measurement from a distance” and geometry “measurement of land.” The -metric suffix is simply the adjectival form of -meter (parametric) or -metry (asymmetric “no equal measurement”).