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criterion - 4 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
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : criterion
Spanish:
criterio,
German:
das Kriterium,
Japanese:
基準
criterion
1661, from Gk. kriterion "means for judging, standard," from krites "judge."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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