standard
UK /ˈstændəd/ · US /ˈstændɚd/ adjective, noun, interjection, proper noun
Forms standards
- adjective Falling within an accepted range of size, amount, power, quality, etc.
- adjective (of a tree or shrub) Growing alone as a free-standing plant; not trained on a post etc.
- adjective Having recognized excellence or authority. “standard works in history; standard authors”
- adjective Of a usable or serviceable grade or quality.
- adjective (not comparable, of a motor vehicle) Having a manual transmission.
- adjective As normally supplied (not optional or modified by any extra requests). “This is the standard model, but we offer a variety of customization options.”
- adjective (linguistics) Conforming to the standard variety.
- noun A level of quality or attainment.
- noun Something used as a measure for comparative evaluations; a model.
- noun A musical work of established popularity.
- noun A rule or set of rules or requirements which are widely agreed upon or imposed by government.
- noun The proportion of weights of fine metal and alloy established for coinage.
- noun (sociolinguistics) standard idiom, a prestigious or standardized language variety; standard language.
- noun A bottle of wine containing 0.750 liters of fluid.
- noun (India) Grade level in primary or secondary education. “I am in fifth standard.”
- interjection (UK, slang) An expression of agreement.
- proper noun (science fiction, fantasy) Denoting the name of a universal language in various works.
Synonyms
customary ordinary typical average medial basic bog-standard common commonplace common-and-garden common-or-garden congruent consistent conventional everyday expected garden variety improminent mundane natural criterion measure touchstone monetary standard banner received stock
Antonyms
automatic deluxe modified nonstandard non-standard atypical off special
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”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A flag; colors; a banner; especially, a national or other ensign.
- noun That which is established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, extent, value, or quality; esp., the original specimen weight or measure sanctioned by government, as the standard pound, gallon, or yard.
- adjective Being, affording, or according with, a standard for comparison and judgment; as, standard time; standard weights and measures; a standard authority as to nautical terms; standard gold or silver.
- adjective Hence: Having a recognized and permanent value; as, standard works in history; standard authors.
Etymology [OF. estendart, F. étendard, probably fr. L. extendere to spread out, extend, but influenced by E. stand. See Extend.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “standard”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details