standard

stand•ard

[[t]ˈstæn dərd[/t]] n.

1) something considered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of comparison

2) cvb an object regarded as the most common size or form of its kind

3) a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment

4) an average or normal quality, quantity, or level:

The work isn't up to his usual standard[/ex]

5) standards, the morals, ethics, customs, etc., regarded generally or by an individual as acceptable

6) the authorized exemplar of a unit of weight or measure

7) bus a certain commodity in or by which a basic monetary unit is stated:

gold standard[/ex]

8) bus the legally established content of full-weight coins

9) bus the prescribed degree of fineness for gold or silver

10) brit. edu Brit. a class or grade in elementary schools

11) mad a musical piece of sufficiently enduring popularity to be made part of a permanent repertoire, esp. a popular song

12) a flag indicating the presence of a sovereign or public official

13) a flag or emblematic figure used as a rallying point for an army, fleet, etc

14)

a) mil any of various military or naval flags

b) mil the colors of a mounted military unit

15) her a long, narrow, tapering flag bearing heraldic devices and personal to an individual or group

16) something that stands or is placed upright

17) an upright support

18) a long candlestick or candelabrum used in a church

19) bot a plant trained or grafted to have a single, erect, treelike stem

20) bot a distinct petal, larger than the rest, of certain flowers; a vexillum

21) serving as a basis of weight, measure, value, comparison, or judgment

22) of recognized excellence or established authority:

a standard reference book[/ex]

23) usual or customary

24) manual; not electric or automatic:

standard transmission[/ex]

25) ling. conforming in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, etc., to the usage of most educated native speakers and widely considered acceptable or correct

Compare nonstandard 2)

26) officially approved; authorized

27) coo (of meat, esp. beef or veal) of or designating a grade immediately below select or good

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Etymology: 1125–75; ME < OF, prob. < Frankish *standord (cf. G Standort standing-point), conformed to -ard -ard