An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A combining form meaning “measure,” used in the names of instruments measuring quantity, extent, degree.

Etymology (EN): From Fr. -mètre; → meter.

Etymology (PE): Suffix -sanj, present stem of
sanjidan “to measure; to compare,” from Mid.Pers. sanjidan “to weigh,”
from present tense stem sanj-, Av. θanj- “to draw, pull;” Proto-Iranian
*θanj-. Other terms from this base in Pers.: lanjidan “to pull up,”
hanjidan, âhanjidan “to draw out,” farhang “education, culture.”