metricatev.

1965 J. V. Dunworth (Director, Nat. Physical Lab.) in Times 29 Nov. 11/5 Earlier this year the National Physical Laboratory sought the guidance of the editor [sc. E. McIntosh] of the Concise Oxford Dictionary on this matter... His reply was as follows:—‘Consider the following: Carbon(ize); decimal(ize);..methyl(ate); oxygen(ate). The modern tendency is to use -ize, -ization in forming new words rather than -ate, -ation. It seems to me that either metrication or metricization could be used.’ In the light of these comments the N.P.L. and the Ministry of Technology chose ‘metrication’ on the grounds of brevity and euphony. The corresponding verb ‘metricate’ seems very satisfactory.

1968 Guardian 27 July 3 It may not be practicable to metricate, except possibly over a far longer period than that suggested.

1970 Daily Tel. 14 May 18 Current Admiralty Tide Tables, now beginning to metricate in earnest, propose to use decimetres.

1972 B.S.I. News June 17/2 Did it not take..nearly a century for Britain to decide to metricate?

1970 Times 28 Oct. 7 The cost of metricating road signs..would eventually have to be considered.

1972 Daily Tel. 13 Oct. 19/3 The Royal Navy..started to metricate Admiralty charts in 1970.

1983 J. S. Foster Struct. & Fabric (rev. ed.) I. iii. 9/1 Many of those concerned with Building Construction have yet to be metricated.

1989 Caravan, Motorcaravan & Camping July 36/3 The polyester version..is listed at 6.80 kg—that's around 15lb if you haven't been metricated.