criterion

criterion
noun (plural criteria; also -rions) Etymology: Greek kritērion, from krinein to judge, decide — more at certain Date: 1622 1. a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based 2. a characterizing mark or trait Synonyms: see standard Usage: The plural criteria has been used as a singular for over half a century <
let me now return to the third criteria — R. M. Nixon
>
<
that really is the criteria — Bert Lance
>
. Many of our examples, like the two foregoing, are taken from speech. But singular criteria is not uncommon in edited prose, and its use both in speech and writing seems to be increasing. Only time will tell whether it will reach the unquestioned acceptability of agenda.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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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

  • criterion — meaning ‘a principle or standard by which something is judged’, has a plural criteria. This plural form is often taken to be singular, a use that is not standard: • A report…will tell councillors that the bidding criteria has significantly… …   Modern English usage

  • 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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