The process of converting a system of measurement or currency to use the decimal system, where everything is based on powers of ten.
From Latin 'decimus' (tenth) combined with '-ization' suffix. The term emerged in the 18th century when countries began standardizing their currencies and measurements around base-10 systems, most famously during the French Revolution and British adoption of decimal currency.
The United Kingdom's 'D-Day' in 1971 when they decimalized their currency (replacing pounds, shillings, and pence) caused genuine confusion—some elderly people never adjusted to the new system! This shows how deeply number systems are woven into human culture and habit.
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