biometric
Definition
Adjective:
- Relating to biometrics: "biometric" refers to the measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics. It is used especially in technology for identification and access control.
Noun (rare, technical):
- A biometric measurement: In specialized contexts, "biometric" can refer to a specific measurable characteristic, such as a fingerprint or iris pattern.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The company uses biometric authentication to secure its buildings. (Authentication based on unique physical traits like fingerprints or face scans.)
- Biometric data, such as voice patterns, is stored in a secure database. (Data derived from measuring biological features.)
Noun:
- The system recorded each user's biometrics for verification. (The specific physical measurements used for identification.)
Advanced Usage
"Biometric passport": a passport that contains an embedded microchip with the holder's biometric data (e.g., facial image, fingerprints).
- Many countries now issue biometric passports to reduce fraud. (Passports with digital security features.)
"Biometric sensor": a device that reads and processes biometric data.
- The smartphone's biometric sensor can unlock the phone with a fingerprint. (A sensor that scans unique physical traits.)
Variants and Related Words
Biometrics (noun): the field of study or technology involving biometric measurements.
- Biometrics is widely used in security systems. (The science of identifying people by their traits.)
Biometrician (noun): a specialist in biometrics.
- The biometrician analyzed the data from the facial recognition system. (An expert in biometric measurement.)
Synonyms
- Biological: relating to living organisms (broader, less specific).
- Physiological: relating to the physical functions of the body (used for traits like heart rate).
- Morphological: relating to form or structure (e.g., bone structure).
Related Idioms
- None common. The term "biometric" is primarily technical and not used in idiomatic expressions.
Phrasal Verbs
- None. "Biometric" is not used as part of phrasal verbs.
Notes
- The word "biometric" is derived from Greek "bios" (life) and "metron" (measure). It is increasingly common in modern technology contexts, such as smartphones, airports, and banking.