Criterions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. Standards or principles used for judgment or evaluation ; requirements or conditions employed to decide ; benchmarks or measures by which something is assessed
  2. Elements or characteristics considered for making choices ; guidelines or factors helping in decision-making ; points of reference that determine acceptability or quality
  3. Means by which suitability is determined ; rules or parameters guiding selection ; aspects or features that serve as the basis for comparison

Etymology: The plural form "criterions" is an uncommon and somewhat nonstandard variant of "criteria," which itself is the plural of "criterion." The singular "criterion" comes from the Greek word "kriterion," meaning a means for judging or testing, derived from the verb "kritērion," related to "krinein," which means "to separate, decide, or judge." This root captures the sense of a standard or principle used to evaluate something. English borrowed "criterion" in the late 16th century, bringing with it a sense of an objective standard or rule. The more commonly accepted plural, "criteria," follows the Greek pattern for pluralization, where "-ion" in singular becomes "-ia" in plural. This Greek plural form was adopted directly into English, making "criteria" the standard and widely accepted plural. Despite this, some English speakers have formed "criterions" by adding the regular English plural suffix "-s" to the singular form, treating it like a standard English noun. This process, known as anglicization, is typical in English, where foreign plurals are sometimes replaced with regular English plurals. However, "criterions" is generally considered nonstandard or incorrect in formal writing, though it appears occasionally in colloquial or less formal contexts. The tension between preserving a word’s original plural form and adapting it to English norms illustrates a broader pattern in English vocabulary, where borrowed words often develop dual plural forms. While "criteria" remains the preferred plural in academic and formal settings, "criterions" reminds us how language users sometimes reshape words to fit familiar patterns, even if it clashes with classical origins.

Synonyms: standards, benchmarks, measures, yardsticks, norms