  The current classification system of M stars on the main sequence
distinguishes three metallicity classes (dwarfs - dM, subdwarfs - sdM, and
extreme subdwarfs - esdM). The spectroscopic definition of these classes is
based on the relative strength of prominent CaH and TiO molecular absorption
bands near 7000A, as quantified by three spectroscopic indices (CaH2, CaH3, and
TiO5). We re-examine this classification system in light of our ongoing
spectroscopic survey of stars with proper motion \mu > 0.45 "/yr, which has
increased the census of spectroscopically identified metal-poor M stars to over
400 objects. Kinematic separation of disk dwarfs and halo subdwarfs suggest
deficiencies in the current classification system. Observations of common
proper motion doubles indicates that the current dM/sdM and sdM/esdM boundaries
in the [TiO5,CaH2+CaH3] index plane do not follow iso-metallicity contours,
leaving some binaries inappropriately classified as dM+sdM or sdM+esdM. We
propose a revision of the classification system based on an empirical
calibration of the TiO/CaH ratio for stars of near solar metallicity. We
introduce the parameter \zeta_{TiO/CaH} which quantifies the weakening of the
TiO bandstrength due to metallicity effect, with values ranging from
\zeta_{TiO/CaH}=1 for stars of near-solar metallicity to \zeta_{TiO/CaH}~0 for
the most metal-poor (and TiO depleted) subdwarfs. We redefine the metallicity
classes based on the value of the parameter \zeta_{TiO/CaH}; and refine the
scheme by introducing an additional class of ultra subdwarfs (usdM). We
introduce sequences of sdM, esdM, and usdM stars to be used as formal
classification standards.
