The term “standard” comes from the Old French word “estandard,” which means “a rallying point” or “something established as a measure.” This is derived from the Frankish root “*standhard,” meaning “standing firm.”
1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE)
The PIE root “*sta-” means “to stand” or “to make firm.”
2. Frankish
From the PIE root, the Frankish word “standhard” developed, combining “stand” (to stand) with “hard” (firm), meaning “standing firm” or “established point.”
3. Old French (c. 9th to 14th century CE)
The Frankish term evolved into Old French “estandard,” meaning “a rallying point” or “an established measure.”
4. Middle English (c. 11th to 15th century CE)
The Old French “estandard” was adopted into Middle English as “standard,” meaning “a level of quality or attainment.”
5. Modern English (from 15th century CE to present)
The term “standard” evolved into its current form and pronunciation, retaining the meaning of “a level of quality” or “an established norm.”
Phonetic Evolution
Over time, the pronunciation of “standard” has remained relatively stable, transitioning from the Old French “estandard” to the Modern English “standard.”
Usage Examples
- “The company sets high standards for its products.”
- “Another example of ‘standard’ in a sentence is ‘This manual provides the industry standard for safety procedures.'”
Cultural or Historical Notes
The development of the word “standard” was significantly influenced by the need for consistency and uniformity in various domains, such as manufacturing, education, and professional practices.
The word “standard” reflects the importance of established norms and benchmarks, emphasizing the role of consistency and quality in human activities and institutions.