absolute
Within metrology generally, the qualifier ‘absolute’ indicates using mass rather than weight, i.e. force, as a basic dimension; hence an absolute system contrasts with a
gravitational system
. Within metric, it tended to mean the
c.g.s. system
. Bullock M. L.
Amer. J. Phys.
22, 293–9 (1954)
electromagnetics
Metric
The ampere and other electrical units agreed by the
CIPM
in 1946, to take effect at the start of 1948, with the same names that had been in use for many years, are often labelled ‘absolute’ when discrimination is necessary; they replaced the
international units
. With the formal creation of the
SI system
in 1960 they became ...