: "based on" vs "metrically compatible" "Based on" Typefaces are often described as "based on" other typefaces. E.g.: Arial is "based on" Monotype Grotesque; Century Gothic is "based on" Twentieth

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"Based on"

Typefaces are often described as "based on" other typefaces. E.g.:


Arial is "based on" Monotype Grotesque;
Century Gothic is "based on" Twentieth Century.


I understand "based on" to mean that the designer(s) of the later typeface were aware of the preceding one and were trying to emulate some of its visual characteristics so that, to a human, the later one would be reminiscent of the earlier one, in one or more ways.

Therefore: given two typefaces and no other information, it is in principle impossible to mechanically determine whether one was "based on" the other.

"Metrically compatible"

Sometimes, a typeface is described as "metrically compatible" with another typeface. E.g.:


Cousine is "metrically compatible" with Courier New;
Liberation Sans is "metrically compatible" with Arial.


I understand "metrically compatible" to mean that substituting a typeface with a metrically compatible one will not alter the text flow of the document, i.e. line breaks and pagination, etc, will remain the same.

Therefore: given two typefaces and no other information, it is in principle possible to mechanically determine whether they are metrically compatible.

Question

Is my understanding, as presented above, correct? If not, what have I misunderstood?

Please can you quote any authorities you know of that corroborate your answer?

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