Centi

/ˈsɛnti/ prefix

Definition

A metric prefix meaning one-hundredth (1/100), used in measurement units like centimeter and centigram.

Etymology

From Latin centum meaning 'hundred.' This prefix was adopted in 1795 when the metric system was standardized in France, providing a universal scaling system.

Kelly Says

The centi- prefix is why we have centimeters instead of weird imperial fractions—the metric system's elegant prefixes make it vastly superior for science, which is why every country except the US officially uses it!

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