standard
pronunciation
How to pronounce standard in British English:
UK [ˈstændəd]
How to pronounce standard in American English:
US [ˈstændərd]
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- Noun:
- a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
- the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
- a board measure = 1980 board feet
- the value behind the money in a monetary system
- an upright pole or beam (especially one used as a support)
- any distinctive flag
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- Adjective:
- conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
- commonly used or supplied
- established or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence
- conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
- regularly and widely used or sold
Word Origin
- standard
- standard: Standard ‘flag, banner’ [12] denotes etymologically something that is ‘extended’ or unfurled. The word comes from Anglo-Norman estaundart ‘flag displayed on a battlefield so that troops can rally to it’. This was a derivative of Old French estendre ‘extend’ (first cousin of English extend). The sense ‘criterion, norm’, which emerged in the 15th century, is probably a metaphorical application of the notion of the ‘royal standard’ or banner as being the point from which authoritative commands (as of standards of weight and measurement) are issued. Standard ‘upright object, such as a tree’ [13] is probably an alteration of stander.=> extend; stand
- standard (n.1)
- mid-12c., "flag or other conspicuous object to serve as a rallying point for a military force," from shortened form of Old French estandart "military standard, banner." According to Barnhart and others, this is probably from Frankish *standhard, literally "stand fast or firm," a compound of unrecorded Frankish words cognate stand (v.) and hard. So called because the flag was fixed to a pole or spear and stuck in the ground to stand upright. The more common theory [OED, etc.] calls this folk-etymology and connects the Old French word to estendre "to stretch out," from Latin extendere (see extend). Some senses (such as "upright pole," mid-15c.) seem to be influenced by if not from stand (v.). Standard-bearer in the figurative sense is from 1560s.
- standard (adj.)
- 1620s, "serving as a standard," from standard (adj.). Earlier it meant "upright" (1530s). Standard-bred "bred up to some agreed-upon standard of excellence" is from 1888.
- standard (n.2)
- "weight, measure, or instrument by which the accuracy of others is determined," late 14c., from standard (n.1) "military standard, banner," a particular use in English of this word, but the sense evolution is "somewhat obscure" [OED]. The standard weights and measures were set by royal ordinance and were known as the king's standard, so perhaps metaphoric, the royal standard coming to stand for royal authority in matters like setting weights and measures. Hence the meaning "authoritative or recognized exemplar of quality or correctness" (late 15c.). Meaning "rule, principal or means of judgment" is from 1560s. That of "definite level of attainment" is attested from 1711 (as in standard of living, 1903).
Example
- 1. We enjoyed an excellent standard of living and a fine education .
- 2. It raised the standard of living and smoothed the restoration of democracy .
- 3. We should have a common standard .
- 4. The gold standard acts like a financial straitjacket .
- 5. There 's also the standard date & author information .