ˈstændəd n. & adj. --n. 1 an
object or
quality or
measure serving as a
basis or
example or
principle to
which others
conform or
should conform or by which
the accuracy or quality of others is judged (by present-day standards). 2 a the
degree of
excellence etc. required
for a
particular purpose (not up to standard). b
average quality (of a low standard). 3 the
ordinary procedure, or quality or
design of a
product,
without added or novel features. 4 a
distinctive flag,
esp. the flag of a
cavalry regiment as
distinct from the colours of an
infantry regiment. 5 a an
upright support. b an upright
water or
gas pipe. 6 a a
tree or shrub
that stands
alone without support. b a shrub grafted on an upright stem
and trained in tree
form (standard rose). 7 a
document specifying nationally or internationally agreed properties for manufactured goods etc. (British Standard). 8 a
thing recognized as a
model for
imitation etc. 9 a
tune or
song of established popularity. 10 a a
system by which the
value of a
currency is defined in terms of
gold or
silver or
both. b the prescribed
proportion of the
weight of fine
metal in gold or silver coins. 11 a measure for
timber,
equivalent to 165
cu. ft. (4.7
cubic metres). 12
Brit.
hist. a
grade of classification in
elementary schools. --adj. 1 serving or used as a standard (a standard size). 2 of a
normal or prescribed quality or size etc. 3 having recognized and
permanent value;
authoritative (the standard
book on the subject). 4 (of language) conforming to established
educated usage (Standard English). ømultiple standard a standard of value obtained by averaging the prices of a
number of products.
raise a standard
take up arms; rally support (raised the standard of revolt). standard-bearer 1 a
soldier who carries a standard. 2 a
prominent leader in a
cause. standard
deviation see DEVIATION. standard
lamp Brit. a lamp set on a
tall upright
with its base
standing on the
floor. standard of
living the degree of
material comfort available to a
person or
class or
community. standard
time a
uniform time for places in approximately the
same longitude, established in a
country or
region by
law or
custom. [ME f. AF estaundart, OF estendart f. estendre, as
EXTEND: in senses 5 and 6 of n.
affected by
association with STAND]