criterion

criterion
criterial, adj.
/kruy tear"ee euhn/, n., pl. criteria /-tear"ee euh/, criterions.
a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something.
[1605-15; < Gk kritérion a standard, equiv. to kri- var. s. of krínein to separate, decide + -terion neut. suffix of means (akin to L -torium -TORY2)]
Syn. measure, touchstone, yardstick. See standard.
Usage. Like some other nouns borrowed from the Greek, CRITERION has both a Greek plural, CRITERIA, and a plural formed on the English pattern, CRITERIONS. The plural in -a occurs with far greater frequency than does the -s plural: These are the criteria for the selection of candidates. Although CRITERIA is sometimes used as a singular, most often in speech and rather infrequently in edited prose, it continues strongly in use as a plural in standard English, with CRITERION as the singular.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Criterion — may refer to: Criterion, general meaning In science and mathematics: Criterion validity, in psychometrics, a measure of how well one variable or set of variables predicts an outcome Criterion referenced test, translates a test score into a… …   Wikipedia

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  • Criterion — Cri*te ri*on (kr? t? r? ?n), n.; pl. {Criteria} ( ?), sometimes {Criterions} ( ?nz). [Gr. ????? a means for judging, fr. ???? decider, judge, fr. ????? to separate. See {Certain}.] A standard of judging; any approved or established rule or test,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • criterion — UK US /kraɪˈtɪəriən/ noun [C] (plural criteria) ► a standard by which you judge, decide about, or deal with something: »Pay is a very important criterion for job satisfaction. »When employing new staff, you need to be very clear about your… …   Financial and business terms

  • criterion — ► NOUN (pl. criteria) ▪ a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided. DERIVATIVES criterial adjective. USAGE The singular form is criterion and the plural form is criteria. Do not use criteria as if it were a singular, as… …   English terms dictionary

  • criterion — I noun barometer, basis, code, custom, design, discipline, example, exemplar, form, formula, foundation, frame of reference, gauge, ground rules, guide, ideal, law, measure, model, norm, obrussa, pattern, point of comparison, precedent,… …   Law dictionary

  • criterion — 1660s, from Latinized form of Gk. kriterion means for judging, standard, from krites judge, from PIE root *krei (see CRISIS (Cf. crisis)). Used in English as a Greek word from 1610s …   Etymology dictionary

  • criterion — *standard, touchstone, yardstick, gauge Analogous words: test, proof, trial, demonstration (see under PROVE): *principle, axiom, law: judging or judgment, adjudgment, adjudication (see corresponding verbs at JUDGE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • criterion — [n] test, gauge for judgment archetype, basis, benchmark, canon, example, exemplar, fact, foundation, law, measure, model, norm, opinion, original, paradigm, pattern, point of comparison, precedent, principle, proof, prototype, rule, scale,… …   New thesaurus

  • criterion — [krī tir′ē ən] n. pl. criteria [krī tir′ē ə] or criterions [< Gr kritērion, means of judging < kritēs, judge; akin to kritikos: see CRITIC] a standard, rule, or test by which something can be judged; measure of value SYN. STANDARD …   English World dictionary

  • criterion */*/*/ — UK [kraɪˈtɪərɪən] / US [kraɪˈtɪrɪən] noun [countable, usually plural] Word forms criterion : singular criterion plural criteria UK [kraɪˈtɪərɪə] / US [kraɪˈtɪrɪə] Get it right: criterion: The plural form of criterion is criteria: Decisions on… …   English dictionary

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