standard

Pronunciation: /ˈstændɚd/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
  2. noun the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
  3. noun a board measure = 1980 board feet

Etymology

From Middle English standard, from Old French estandart (“gathering place, battle flag”), from Frankish *standahard (literally “stand firm, stand hard”), equivalent to stand + -ard. An alternative etymology derives the second element from Frankish *oʀd (“point, spot, place”) (compare Old French ordé (“pointed”), Old English ord (“point, source, vanguard”), German Standort (“location, place, site, position, base”, literally “standing-point”)). Merged with Middle English standar, stander, standere (“flag, banner”, literally “stander”), equivalent to stand + -er. More at stand, hard, ord. As a hill-naming term possibly a calque from Cumbric; equivalent to Welsh lluman (“standard”), arising with confusion with the hill-naming element llumon (“chimney”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

criterion, measure, touchstone

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
system of measurement
Narrower (hyponyms)
procrustean standard, scale, yardstick, baseline, grade point average, benchmark

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