norm English · revision 15104

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1821|origins=la norma}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /nɔːm/, US /nɔːrm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|norme]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[la|norma|t=carpenter's square, rule, pattern]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) a word of uncertain origin;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Klein suggests a borrowing, through Etruscan, of [[grc|γνώμων|tr=gnṓmōn|t=carpenter's square]].^(Etymonline) An earlier form, norme (1635), came from French, and the Latin form was used in English before 1676.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A standard, pattern or model: 1821, in Coleridge.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster gives 1674.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word became common from about 1855.^(OED 1989) In mathematics it is used in algebra from 1856 and for the length of a vector from 1921.^(OED 1989) In Communist countries a norm was a prescribed standard unit of work (1935).^(OED 1989) The Latin norma, a carpenter's square, was used in English from the 1670s, and Norma is a small southern constellation named in the 18th century by La Caille.^(Etymonline) Normal meant at right angles in the 17th century and conforming to a standard in the 19th.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1635 – norme.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1821 – a norm, standard.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1856 – norm (algebra).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1921 – the norm of a vector.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1935 – a work norm.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A standard, model or pattern regarded as typical.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An average level of achievement or performance.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(sociology)'' An established standard of behaviour shared by the members of a group.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' The length of a [[vector]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(statistics)'' A mode or average.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[normless]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[abnormity]]

+ * [[normal]]

+ * [[normative]]

+ * [[normo-]]

+ * [[enormous]]

+ * [[gnomon]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Australia, Norm is a stereotype of the unathletic man, from a cartoon figure in a government fitness campaign.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}