What does the metric prefix "milli-" represent?

The metric prefix "milli-" signifies a factor of one thousandth, which is represented numerically as 1/1000 or 0.001. This prefix is derived from the Latin word "mille," meaning "thousand." Hence, any unit that has the "milli-" prefix will be scaled down by a factor of 1,000. For example, one millimeter is 0.001 meters, meaning there are 1,000 millimeters in a meter. This prefix is commonly used in various scientific and measurement contexts, such as in milliliters (mL) for volume or milligrams (mg) for mass. Understanding this metric prefix is fundamental in physical science as it facilitates accurate measurements and conversions between different units.