Criterion definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

benchmark, gauge, mark, measure, test, touchstone, yardstick, canon, example, norm, precedent, proof

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Criterion - 5 dictionary results

cri⋅te⋅ri⋅on

[krahy-teer-ee-uh

–noun, plural -te⋅ri⋅a [-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 )

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Criterion

Spanish:

criterio,

German:

das Kriterium,

Japanese:

基準

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cri·te·ri·on (krī-tîr'ē-ən) Pronunciation Key
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 © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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criterion

1661, from Gk. kriterion "means for judging, standard," from krites "judge."

criterion
noun
1.	a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; "the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work" [syn: standard]
2.	the ideal in terms of which something can be judged; "they live by the standards of their community"

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, by which facts, principles opinions, and conduct are tried in forming a correct judgment respecting them.

Of the diseases of the mind there is no criterion. --Donne.

Inferences founded on such enduring criteria. --Sir G. C. Lewis.

Syn: Standard; measure; rule.

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