Greek Roots CHRON and METER: Time and Measure

Read words about time and measurement using chron and meter.

'Chron' comes from the Greek word for time. Chronological order is time order. A chronicle records events as they happen over time. Something chronic lasts a long time, like a chronic cough. Synchronize means to make happen at the same time (syn means together). 'Meter' (also 'metr') means measure. A thermometer measures heat; a speedometer measures speed; the perimeter is the measure around a shape (peri means around); symmetry means balanced measure on both sides.

Sometimes both roots meet in one word: a chronometer is an extremely accurate clock, an instrument for measuring time, once used by ships to find their position at sea. In a history text you might read, 'The museum arranged the tools chronologically, and a barometer hung by the door. ' The first word tells you the display is in time order; the second names a tool that measures (air) pressure, since 'baro' means weight or pressure.

• 1CHRON means time.
• 2METER and METR mean measure.
• 3Chronological order is the order things happened.