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Synonyms
Criterion - 3 dictionary results
cri⋅te⋅ri⋅on
[krahy-teer-ee-uh
n] 
–noun, plural -te⋅ri⋅a [-teer-ee-uh] , -te⋅ri⋅ons.
[-teer-ee-uh] , -te⋅ri⋅ons. | a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something. |
Origin:
1605–15; < Gk krit
rion a standard, equiv. to kri- var. s. of kr
nein to separate, decide + -tērion neut. suffix of means (akin to L -tōrium -tory 2 )
1605–15; < Gk krit
rion a standard, equiv. to kri- var. s. of krnein to separate, decide + -tērion neut. suffix of means (akin to L -tōrium -tory 2 )Related forms:
cri⋅te⋅ri⋅al, adjective
Usage note:
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.
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To Criterion
| cri·te·ri·on (krī-tîr'ē-ən) n. pl. cri·te·ri·a (-tîr'ē-ə) or cri·te·ri·ons A standard, rule, or test on which a judgment or decision can be based. See Synonyms at standard. [Greek kritērion, from kritēs, judge, from krīnein, to separate, judge; see krei- in Indo-European roots.] cri·te'ri·al (-əl) adj. Usage Note: Like the analogous etymological plurals agenda and data, criteria is widely used as a singular form. Unlike them, however, it is not yet acceptable in that use. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
criterion
1661, from Gk. kriterion "means for judging, standard," from krites "judge."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Language Translation for : Criterion
Spanish:
criterio,
German:
das Kriterium,
Japanese:
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