Also 46 standarde, 45 stondard, 46 standerde, 47 standerd, (6 standred), 47, 8 rare standart, 56 standert (5 estandert, 6 standertt), stondart(e (5 stondert), 6 stander, 7 Sc. stender. See also ESTANDARD. [aphetic a. OF. estandard, -art, -estendard, -art (mod.F. étendard) = med.L. standardum, -us, standarium, etc., Pr. estandard, -art, Sp., Pg. estandarte, It. stendardo; according to most scholars f. com. Rom. estend-ere (L. extend-ĕre to stretch out: see EXTEND v.) + -ARD; a parallel synonymous formation with different suffix is It. stendale, late OF. estandale, -deille (med.L. standale, -ālis). The Fr. word has passed into all the living Teut. langs.: MHG. stanthart (by popular etymology, as if stand hard), later standart, standert (mod.G. standarte), MDu. standaert (mod.Du. standaard, standerd), Da. standart, Sw. standar.
The origin of sense 9 (standard of measure or weight), whence the other senses in branch II are derived, is somewhat obscure. It appears in AF. (estaundart) and Anglo-L. (standardus) in the 13th c., two centuries earlier than our earliest vernacular instance. It has not been found in continental OF.; the use of Du. standaard in this sense is believed to be imitated from English. It is noteworthy that in early instances the standard of measure is always either expressly or by implication called the kings standard, an expression which belongs to the older sense 1. It seems probable that sense 9 is a fig. use of sense 1; the kings standard being the point of reunion of the army, and the center from which commands are issued.
The senses grouped as branch III are of doubtful, probably of various and in some instances of mixed origin. The notion of something conspicuously erected, involved in sense 1, would account for several of them; others may be referred to the idea of something permanent, fixed, or stationary, generalized from sense 9. Etymological association with STAND v. has, however, certainly affected the whole group, and it is possible that in some uses the word should be regarded as an alteration of STANDER. The senses of this branch are almost confined to English: OF. has estandart some kind of torch (rare1), and WFlem. has standaart mill-post (De Bo; standaert, Kilian); but the relation of these to the English uses is obscure.]
I. A military or naval ensign.
1. A flag, sculptured figure, or other conspicuous object, raised on a pole to indicate the rallying-point of an army (or fleet), or of one of its component portions; the distinctive ensign of a king, great noble, or commander, or of a nation or city.
† Standard-general: the principal standard of an army.
In Eng. the word appears first with reference to the Battle of the Standard in 1138. A contemporary writer, Richard of Hexham, relating the story of the battle, describes the standard there used as a mast of a ship, with flags at the top, mounted in the middle of a machine which was brought into the field. He quotes a Latin couplet written on the occasion, which says that the standard was so called from stand, because it was there that valour took its stand to conquer or die.
1154. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1138. Him [sc. king David of Scotland] com to ʓænes Willelm eorl of Albamar mid fæu men & flemden þe king æt te Standard.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6175. Edmond diȝte is stondard ware he ssolde him sulue abide.
13[?]. K. Alis., 2377 (Laud MS.). To ymagu hij turneden pas þer þe kynges standarde was.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 115. Þise men lift ther standard, that stoute was & grim Ageyn Dauid wandelard, & disconfite him.
c. 1425. ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 825. All these seuyn capteynes had standardes of pryce.
1483. Cath. Angl., 359/1. A Sstanderd or A bekyn, statela.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. V., 64 b. Banners, standers and penons of the kynges armes.
1588. Parke, trans. Mendozas Hist. China, 165. A watch towre who had discouered our shippe, and knew the standard or flagge to bee the kings.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., V. iii. 263. Then in the name of God and all these rights, Aduance your Standards, draw your willing Swords.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., XV. vii. 43. An high banke above which stood the maine standerds of Eagles and other ensignes.
1609. Bible (Douay), Jer. vi. 1. In Thecua sownd with the trumpet, and over Bethacarem lift up the standart.
1611. Bible, Num. ii. 3. And on the East side toward the rising of the Sunne, shall they of the standerd of the campe of Iudah pitch, throughout their armies.
1630. R. Johnsons Kingd. & Commw., 314. Every Citie hath his principall Standard, with their peculiar armes and devices therein, to distinguish one people from another.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., II. xxv. 252. The Burgesses came to the Lord President, to beseech him to render unto them their Charter, Seale, Mace, and Standard.
1656. Earl Monm., trans. Boccalinis Advts. fr. Parnass., I. lxxxv. (1674), 112. Francisco Pico was made Standard-bearer; and, in his Standard-General, bore the famous Ensign of an open Book.
1660. Waterhouse, Arms & Arm., 45. Vexilla properly signifies the Standers of Kings and Chiefs.
1737. Pope, Hor. Ep., II. ii. 41. He Tore down a Standard, took the Fort and all.
1781. Cowper, Table T., 454. The standards of all nations are unfurld.
1804. Med. Jrnl., XII. 46. The late dispute respecting the capture of the standard of the Invincibles before Alexandria.
1808. Pike, Sources Mississ., II. App. 23. They gave up the Spanish flag, and we had the pleasure to see the American Standard hoisted in its stead.
18313. E. Burton, Eccl. Hist., xxx. (1845), 643. From this time the imperial standards bore a device, which was composed of the two first letters of the name of Christ in Greek.
1864. Pusey, Lect. Daniel (1876), 114. The black eagle is the standard of Prussia.
1891. Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, iii. The tents and standards of the soldiers had been struck with fire from heaven.
transf. 1761. Ann. Reg., Char., 8/2. Every raja appears mounted on an elephant, and is at once the general and ensign, or standard of that corps, who keep their eyes constantly on him.
b. In many phrases used with pregnant sense, the standard being taken as typifying the army or its leaders; e.g., to raise ones standard, take up arms; under the standard of, serving in the army of; so to join the standard of; and the like.
c. 1500. Melusine, xxiv. 164. Your vassall & seruaunt shal I euer be vnder the standart of your gouernance.
1667. Milton, P. L., VII. 297. As Armies at the call Of Trumpet Troop to their Standard.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 102. With hoarse allarms the hollow Camp rebounds, Then to their common Standard they repair.
1738. Glover, Leonidas, I. 155. They with dread Will shrink before your standards.
183843. Arnold, Hist. Rome, II. xxxvii. 481. All the nations of southern Italy were ready to join his standard.
1840. Thirlwall, Greece, VII. lvii. 241. In a short time he had a body of more than 2000 horse under his standard.
1842. W. C. Taylor, Anc. Hist., xvii. § 2 (ed. 3), 500. Wearied by the tyranny of Domitian, Lucius Antonius raised the standard of revolt in his province.
1845. G. P. R. James, Arrah Neil, vi. He would raise his standard at once, and march to London.
1852. Sir J. Graham, in C. S. Parker, Life & Lett. (1907), II. 149. The rival camps under hostile standards will thus be pitched.
c. fig.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, II. 105. Some that were heretyques in dede, and wolde auaunce theyr owne heresyes forwarde vnder the name and standard of his [Origens] famouse authoryte.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 87. No crueltie or sacriledge against God, or man, so irreligious but Religion was pretended to be the cause, and bare the Standard to Destruction.
1688. Jas. II., in Gutch, Coll. Cur., I. 339. I tell you this is a Standard of Rebellion: I never saw such an address!
1856. N. Brit. Rev., XXVI. 250. [They] if they did not vote against him, at least deserted their standard, and did not vote at all.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., II. lxx. 566. The gain of even twenty or thirty votes is so likely to bring fresh recruits to his standard.
2. In a more restricted sense, a military or naval flag of some particular kind.
Ordinarily, the standard is understood to be distinguished from a banner by being long and tapering instead of square, and from a pennon by its greater breadth. The British royal standard, however, which is flown when the king or a member of the royal family is present, is now a square flag (thus technically a banner), divided into four compartments bearing the emblems of England (twice), Scotland, and Ireland. In the British army, the regimental flags of the cavalry are called standards, those of the infantry being colours. In the U.S. army the flag of a cavalry regiment is called its standard.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XI. 465. Thai saw so fele browdyn baneris, Standartis, pennownys apon speris.
1471. Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 199. And than made dysplaye banyers, standardes & penons.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xviii. 22. Euery man mounted, and the baners and standers folowed this new made knyght.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VII., 53 b. Barges garnished with standardes, stremers and penons.
a. 1577. Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng., I. xviii. (1589), 33. Knights bannerets are made in the field, with the ceremonie of cutting off the poynt of his standert, and making it as it were a baner.
1644. [Walsingham], Effigies True Fortitude, 12. His Majesties Banner Royall, vulgarly called the Standard.
1700. Tyrrell, Hist. Eng., II. 765. The Victors carried off his Standard Royal.
1811. Regul. & Orders Army, 11. A Field Marshal is to be saluted with the Colours and Standards of all the Forces.
1814. Wellington, in Gurw., Desp. (1838), XII. 75. A request that the brigade of cavalry consisting of the 5th dragoon guards, the 3rd and 4th dragoons should be permitted to bear the word Salamanca on their Standards.
c. 1860. H. Stuart, Seamans Catech., 12. Who attends the standard?
1868. Queens Regul. Army, § 6. The Standards of Regiments of Dragoon Guards are to be of silk damask.
† b. In certain occasional uses. Standard of trade: a merchant ensign. Standard of truce: a flag of truce hoisted on a pole. Obs.
1449. Paston Lett., I. 85. Then they lonchyd a bote, and sette up a stondert of truesse.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pintos Trav., xvii. 59. A Standart of Trade hung out to the end they might be taken for Merchants.
3. = STANDARD-BEARER.
13[?]. K. Alis., 1995. Sendith Ymagu, youre standard, And Archilaus in the furst ward!
c. 1400. Sowdone Bab., 2717. Go forth quod the stondart, thou getist noon here.
1481. Caxton, Godfrey, xcix. 150. Theyr estandart had ben longe seke by thoccasion of his hurte.
1610. Shaks., Temp., III. ii. 19. Thou shalt bee my Lieutenant Monster, or my Standard.
1796. Cavalry Instr. (1813), 14. The standard must take care never to oblige the wheeling man to exceed a moderate gallop.
1832. Prop. Reg. Instr. Cavalry, III. 101. The Standard and his Coverer resume their posts.
† 4. A body of troops kept in reserve in the earlier part of an engagement. Obs.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 8252. Þes tueye adde þe meste ost, þat as standard was þere Vor to helpe hor felawes, wanne hii weri were.
† 5. A company of cavalry. Obs.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Vne Cornette de chevalliers, a cornet or standard of horsemen.
1678. Lond. Gaz., No. 1313/3. The French have received a reinforcement of 15 Standards.
† 6. Head-quarters. Obs.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., II. xviii. 106. There [in helle] deth holdeth his standard whiche sendeth out thurgh all the world for to fetche them that ben his.
7. Bot. The uppermost petal of a papilionaceous corolla: = VEXILLUM.
1776. J. Lee, Introd. Bot. (ed. 3), 396. Papilionacea, butterfly-shaped . Vexillum, the Standard, or upper Petal ascending.
1785. Martyn, Lett. Bot., iii. (1794), 35. A large petal, covering the others, and occupying the upper part of the corolla [of a pea-blossom]; it is called the standard or banner.
1806. J. Galpine, Brit. Bot., 329. Legumes sessile : standard villous.
1870. Hooker, Stud. Flora, 103. Lathyrus hirsutus Flowers 1/2 in.; standard crimson.
8. Ornith. Each of the two lengthened wing-feathers characteristic of certain birds. Cf. STANDARD-WING.
1859. G. R. Gray, in Proc. Zool. Soc., XXVII. 130. It has, springing from the lesser coverts of each wing, two long shafts, both of which are webbed on each side at the apex. It is the possession of these peculiar winged standards that induces me to propose for it the subgeneric appellation of Semioptera. Ibid. (1862), in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. III. X. 445. The ninth feather (or, as it has been termed, standard feather) is the longest of all.
1864. P. L. Sclater, in Ibis, VI. 115. The long standard feather.
1903. W. L. Sclater, Starks Birds S. Africa, III. 42. The ninth [primary] is prolonged to about three times the length of the first and forms the so-called streamer or standard.
II. Exemplar of measure or weight.
9. The authorized exemplar of a unit of measure or weight; e.g., a measuring rod of unit length; a vessel of unit capacity, or a mass of metal of unit weight, preserved in the custody of public officers as a permanent evidence of the legally prescribed magnitude of the unit.
Original standard: the standard of which the others are copies, and to which the ultimate appeal must be made.
1429. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 349/1. Weiȝtis acordant to ye standard of ye Chekier.
c. 1450. Eng. Misc. (Surtees), 61. The sayd Burgese schall haffe ye standard, that is to say, the buschell, halff a buschell [etc.] the qwhyche mesures schuld agre with the kynges standard.
1530. Palsgr., 276/2. Stondart to mesure bye, maistresse mesure.
1588. Lambarde, Eiren., IV. iv. 456. If they of the towne where the kings Standerd is appointed to remaine, haue not their common weights and measures signed.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 101. There was also a Statute, for the dispersing of the Standard of the Exchequor, throughout England; thereby to size Weights and Measures.
1624. Massinger, Renegado, III. iv. Let but any Indifferent gamester measure vs inch, by inch, Or waigh vs by the standard, I may passe I haue beene proud againe, true mettall.
1658. Phillips, Standard also the standing measure of the King, or State, to which all other measures are framed.
1681. Peace & Truth, 7. Tis equally Treason to serve a Usurper, and to Usurp the Regalities of the Lawful Prince by forging new Standards of Commerce.
1694. J. Smith, Horolog. Disquisit., 45. A Royal Pendulum already Rectified, for a Standard to Adjust other Clocks by.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Measure, The sealed Gallon at Guildhall, which is the Standard for Wines, Spirits, Oils, &c.
1764. Burn, Poor Laws, 244. The statute for ascertaining the measure of ale quarts and pints according to the standard, is seldom put in execution.
1856. W. H. Miller, in Phil. Trans., CXLVI. 753. History of the Standards of English Weight.
1870. Pall Mall Gaz., 2 Sept., 5/1. The annual report of the Warden of the Standards lately issued.
1871. C. Davies, Metric Syst., III. 101. These standards were kept in the royal exchequer.
fig. 1736. Butler, Anal., II. viii. 399. An original standard of right and wrong in actions.
b. In abstract sense: The legal magnitude of a unit of measure or weight.
1540. Act 32 Hen. VIII., c. 13 § 2. Euery handfull to contein .iiii. inches of the standerde.
1609. Ev. Woman in Hum., I. C. Citty wife. I haue a Ruffe is a quarter deepe, measured by the yard. Hostis. Indeede by the yard! Citty w. By the standard.
c. A normal uniform size or amount; a prescribed minimum size or amount.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Greatness Kingd. (Arb.), 477. Making Farmes, and houses of Husbandry, of a Standard; That is, maintained with such a Proportion of Land vnto them, as may breed a Subiect, to liue in Conuenient Plenty.
1694. Falle, Jersey, II. 68. Almost all our Trees are Pollards; The Husbandman being obliged to bring his Trees to a Standard, by Lopping of those Luxuriant branches which would cover his little Plots.
† d. A unit of measurement. Obs. rare.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VI. iii. 284. As for the divisions of the yeare, and the quartering out this remarkable standard of time, there have passed especially two distinctions.
1830. Herschel, Study Nat. Phil., 125. As a first preliminary towards effecting this, we fix on convenient standards of weight, dimension, time, &c.
¶ e. Sometimes misused for: Actual stature.
1833. Nyren, Yng. Cricketers Tutor (1902), 135. John was a stoutly-made man; his standard about five feet ten inches.
f. The substance or thing that is chosen to afford the unit measure of any physical quantity, such as specific gravity.
1805. R. Jameson, Char. Min. (1817), 266. Water is the standard with which all other bodies are compared.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 486. Water is employed as the standard of comparison in all tables of specific gravities.
1868. C. H. Gill, Chem. for Sch., xxii. 274. Dalton adopted it [sc. hydrogen] as the unit or standard of atomic weight.
g. Bowls. A light reed or cane used to measure the distance of rival bowls from the jack.
1876. Encycl. Brit., IV. 180/2.
1897. Encycl. Sport, I. 129/2.
10. (Originally fig. from 9.) An authoritative or recognized exemplar of correctness, perfection, or some definite degree of any quality.
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., Proem., in Ashm. (1652), 9. This Boke; Named of Alkimy the Ordinall, The Crede mihi, the Standard perpetuall.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., V. v. (1848), 316. Men will be ashamd to be unlike those, whose Customs and Deportments pass for the Standards, by which those of other Men are to be measurd.
1676. Hale, Contempl., I. 304. He was exhibited, as the common standard and pattern of a Christians condition.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., p. cvii. These Draughts of the Rivers serving as the Standards by which all future Enlargements or Diminutions may be guided.
1709. Felton, Diss. Classics (1718), 147. Among the Romans, Horace is the Standard of Lyric, and Virgil of Epic Poetry.
1710. Caldwell Papers (Maitl. Club), I. 219. They [at Hanover] believe themselves a standart that mankind should be guided by.
1742. West, Lett., in Grays Poems (1775), 136. [Racines] language is the language of the times, and that of the purest sort; so that his French is reckoned a standard.
1777. Sir W. Jones, Poems, etc. Pref. p. xiii.xiv. We always return to the writings of the ancients, as the standard of true taste.
1789. Mrs. Piozzi, Journ. France, II. 139. Let us learn better than to set up self, whether nation or individual, as a standard to which all others must be reduced.
18389. Hallam, Hist. Lit., IV. IV. vii. § 11. 299. The Academy rendered this dictionary the most received standard of the French language.
b. A rule, principle, or means of judgment or estimation; a criterion, measure.
1563. Winȝet, Four Scoir Thre Quest., Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 53. At Pasche and certane Soundays efter, thai ministrate the sacramentis til ws on the Catholik manere; and be Witsonday thai change thair standart in our plane contrare.
1673. Dryden, Amboyna, Ep. Ded. A 3 b. You have servd Him : making His Greatness, and the true Interest of your Country, the standard and measure of your actions. Ibid. (1681), Abs. & Achit., 785. Nor is the peoples judgment always true: What standard is there in a fickle rout, Which, flowing to the mark, runs faster out?
1779. Mirror, No. 30, ¶ 3. Let them [the inexperienced] not believe that the scale of fortune is the standard of happiness.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xx. (1787), II. 201. Personal interest is often the standard of our belief, as well as of our practice.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 61. The degree of estimation in which any profession is held becomes the standard of the estimation in which the professors hold themselves.
1836. J. Gilbert, Chr. Atonem., ii. (1852), 37. Without a prior standard somewhere presupposed, who shall ascertain the quality of what is willed?
1837. Lockhart, Scott, II. iii. 86. Scott had by no means measured the character of great public functionaries, by the standard with which observation and experience subsequently furnished him.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. x. 126. The English reader must be cautioned against applying his English standards to the examination of the American system.
c. pl. The books or documents accepted by a church as the authoritative statement of its creed. Hence occas. in sing.
1841. Penny Cycl., XXI. 175/1. All the divisions of the Seceders agree in adopting as their standards, in addition to the Westminster Confession of Faith [certain works of their founders].
1848. G. Struthers, Hist. Relief Ch., 293. These considerations, and perhaps others induced then simply to proclaim their adherence to the Westminster standards.
1881. J. Macpherson, Westm. Confess. of Faith (1882), 1. A Confession of Faith, however, is accepted by members of churches acknowledging it, simply as a subordinate standard.
11. Legal rate of intrinsic value for coins; also, the prescribed degree of fineness for gold or silver.
1463. Ir. Acts, 3 Edw. IV., c. 32. Forasmuche as the said moneis of silver may not continually be made according to his right estandert.
1551. Sir J. Williams, Accompte (Abbotsf. Club), 91. Golde coyned into crownes of vs a pece, according to the standerde apperteyninge to the mynte.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 121. At thys tyme was vsed to be coyned that standard and finenesse that was called sterling money.
1601. in Staffords Pac. Hib., II. iv. (1633), 149. Being meerely dependant of our Prerogatiue to alter the Standerd of our Moneys at our pleasure.
1638. Charter Goldsm. Co., in A. Ryland, Assay Gold & Silver (1852), 28. The standards for gold are 22 and 18 carats of pure metal in every ounce . The coinage is of the higher standard . The lower standard is used for all manufacturing purposes . The standards for silver are 11 oz. 10 dwt., and 11 oz. 2 dwt. of pure metal in every pound troy . The higher standard is never used.
1691. Locke, Consid. Raising Value Money, Wks. 1714, II. 68. That precise Weight and Fineness, by Law appropriated to the Pieces of each Denomination, is called the Standard.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 19 Sept. 1683. He said it must be finer than the standard, such as was old angel gold.
1702. Lond. Gaz., No. 3863/4. Lost , a wrought Silver-Candlestick, old Standard.
1722. De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 78. Good tower standard.
1757. Jos. Harris, Money & Coins, 36. Trade requires an indelible standard of money.
17723. Act 13 Geo. III., c. 52 § 4. Plate, being of the standard of eleven ounces ten pennyweight of fine silver per pound troy [shall be marked with] the figure of Britannia.
fig. 1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 271. The wit of France and England hath at all times gone much after the same current Rate and Standard.
b. (Originally, † standard of commerce.) A commodity, the value of which is treated as invariable, in order that it may serve as a measure of value for all other commodities.
1683. Brit. Spec., 47. Some one or other Commodity was every where found out to be the Standard of Commerce and Traffick.
1757. Jos. Harris, Money & Coins, 84. In these parts of the world, silver is, and time immemorial hath been, the money standard.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. v. 43. Labour is the only standard by which we can compare the values of different commodities at all times and at all places.
1825. McCulloch, Pol. Econ. I. 25. Having been used as standards whereby to measure the relative value of different commodities.
12. A definite level of excellence, attainment, wealth, or the like, or a definite degree of any quality, viewed as a prescribed object of endeavor or as the measure of what is adequate for some purpose.
Standard of living, of comfort: the view prevailing in a community or class with regard to the minimum of material comfort with which it is reasonable to be content.
1711. Shaftesbury, Charact. (1732), III. 138. Twas thus they [the Greeks] brought their beautiful and comprehensive Language to a just Standard . The Standard was in the same proportion carryd into other Arts.
1748. Melmoth, Fitzosborne Lett., lvii. (1749), II. 86. For may not publick happiness be estimated by the same standard as that of private?
1766. Fordyce, Serm. Young Women (1767), I. i. 11. Act up to the best standard of your sex.
1780. Mirror, No. 79, ¶ 18. We are told that those manners should be painted, not as they are found in nature, but according to an ideal standard of perfection in what is called the golden age.
c. 1800. Pegge, Anecd. Eng. Lang. (1803), 38. During his translation of Quintus Curtius it [sc. the French language] had varied so much that he was obliged to correct the former part of the work to bring it to the standard of the other.
1827. Lytton, Falkland, I. 45. Neither in person nor in character was he much beneath or above the ordinary standard of men.
1903. Angus McNeill (T. W. H. Crosland), Egregious English, xx. 186. The standard of living in England is an inflated and artificial standard. Practically every Englishman lives, or longs to live, beyond his means.
b. In British elementary schools: Each of the recognized degrees of proficiency, as tested by examination, according to which school children are classified.
The sixth is the highest standard which children are ordinarily required to pass, the seventh being intended mainly for those who are to become teachers.
1876. Lubbock, Elementary Educ., in Contemp. Rev., June, 79. The classes from which the children are examined in Standards IIVI.
1894. Times, 22 March, 4/6. He was in school, and was in the class of which defendant was teacherviz., the seventh standard.
1899. Allbutts Syst. Med., VIII. 204. In some schools there is a standard 0 or primers for dull or backward children too old for the infant school, and too backward for the first standard in the upper schools.
1902. Violet Jacob, Sheep-Stealers, xv. When the village urchins are still wrestling with the fourth standard.
attrib. 1891. T. Hardy, Tess, xix. She was expressing in her own native phrasesassisted a little by her Sixth Standard trainingfeelings which [etc.].
1903. Angus McNeill (T. W. H. Crosland), Egregious English, i. 9. Nature, like the seventh-standard boy in a board school, can get no higher.
c. Sporting. (See quot.)
1897. Encycl. Sport, I. 62/2. (Athletics) Standard, the time or distance assigned to each event at a championship meeting, by beating which a competitor becomes entitled to a medal.
13. † a. Some fixed numerical quantity. (? A quarter hundred, 25.) Obs.
1545. Rates Custom Ho., b vj. Knyues of collayne the groce xxx. s. Knyues of roue the standerde v. s.
b. A definite quantity of timber, differing in different countries. (Cf. standard deal, B 1 c.)
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Standard, a solid measure by which hewn timber is estimated, varying in different timber countries.
1864. Daily Tel., 17 Aug., 5/6. A Petersburgh Standard, each of which consists of 120 deals of 12 feet long by 11 inches wide and 11/2 inch thick. [This = 165 cubic feet.]
1891. Law Times, XCI. 192/2. The vessel contained about 1000 standards . A standard was 165 cubic feet of timber.
† 14. A kind of arrow (distinguished from bearing arrow and flight). Obs.
Perh. short for standard arrow, which occurs in later citations of 16th-c. documents. See quot. 1465.
[1465. Ir. Acts, 5 Edw. IV., c. 4 (1786), I. 29. It is ordeyned That every Englishman shall have an English bow with twelve shafts of the length of three quarters of the standard.]
1557. City of Lond. Jrnl., 17 lf. 46, in Vicarys Anat. (1888), App. III. 1778. Who will comme and take a longe bowe in his handehaving the standarde therin therefore prouyded, shall haue for the best game a Crown of golde . And for the best game of the bearing arrowe, he shall haue [etc.] . And for the best game of the flight, he shall haue [etc.] . And there shalbe a trumpett blowen at euerye shott, aswell of the standarde, as of the arrowe or flight.
1598. Stow, Surv. Lond., 77. Of old time the Officers of the Citie were challengers of all men to shoote the Standarde, broade arrow, and flight, for games.
[1682. W. M. (W. Wood), Remembr. Show & Shooting, 1583, 51. Then came the Duke bearing a Standard Arrow in his hand.]
15. The market price per ton of copper in the ore.
1855. J. R. Leifchild, Cornwall Mines, 233. The term standard of copper denotes the estimated value of the fine copper per ton, considered from the various assays to be in the ores sold; less a fixed sum per ton deducted for the cost of smelting . When I began this book the standard of copper was £125, 5s., but it has since varied considerably.
1913. Times, 13 Sept., 18/5. London, Sept. 12.Copper . Standard continued its advance on Monday.
16. Short for: a. standard book (see STANDARD a. 3 b); b. (Dyeing) standard solution (see STANDARD a. 1 b).
1882. Crookes, Dyeing & Tissue-Printing, 379. A set of so-called standards. These are mixtures of colouring matters and mordants not liable to undergo change or decomposition, and which merely require the addition of a thickener to be ready for printing.
1889. Amer. Publ. Weekly, 30 March, 462/1. The old-fashioned bookstore, with its supply of standards on the shelves tempting a customer to increase his library.
III. Senses associated with the verb stand.
† 17. A lofty erection of timber or stone, containing a vertical conduit pipe with spouts and taps, for the supply of water to the public. Obs.
The Standard in Cornhill continued as the name of a point from which distances were measured, long after the standard had disappeared.
1434. Cov. Leet Bk., 157. Þat þe stondard of þe cundyte in þe Smythford-strete shall not be doon awaye.
1517. Chron. Grey Friars (Camden), 30. At the stondert in Cheppe.
1580. Memoriall W. Lumbe, c ij. A standart with one cocke at Holborne bridge.
1598. Stow, Surv. Lond., 316. A standard of timber with a cocke or cockes, deliuering fayre spring water to the inhabitants.
1616. B. Jonson, Devil an Ass, I. i. I will fetch thee a leape From the top of Pauls-steeple, to the Standard in Cheepe.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 164. Towers, most of which are terrassed near the top like the Standard in Cheap-side.
1854. Thackeray, Newcomes, ii. This paradise, five miles from the standard at Cornhill.
18. A tall candlestick. Now spec. a tall candlestick (or, in recent use, an upright gas candelabrum) rising directly from the floor of a church.
a. 1420. Aunters of Arthur, 451 (Thornton MS.). Sythene he clathes gune calle, Sanapes and salers Preketes and broketes, and standertes [Douce stondardes, Irel. stondartis] by-twene.
1488. in Archæologia, XLV. 176. A payre of Candelstykks, greate standards for grete tapers, of tynne. Ibid. (1538), XLIII. 218. ij greate standers of laten; ij lampes.
1553. in Daniel-Tyssen, Invent. Ch. Goods Surrey (1869), 97. Item ij stondardes of lattyn.
1605. Treswell, Journ. Earl Nottingham, 51. The roome was garnished with three hundred and twenty lights of wax, al set in standerds of siluer, of diuers fashions.
1851. Pugin, Chancel Screens, 23. This screen is surmounted by standards for wax tapers.
1860. Ecclesiologist, XXI. 72. The church is lighted with brass gas standards, but of inferior design.
† b. (See quot.) Cf. OF. estandart, a kind of torch. Obs.
1611. Florio, Doppione, a great torch of waxe, which we call a standard or a quarrier.
19. An upright timber, bar or rod; e.g., † a tall pole erected for display on an occasion of rejoicing or festivity (obs.); an upright scaffold pole; an upright bar for a window; an upright support or pedestal in various machines. In recent use often, a slender and lofty iron pillar carrying an electric or gas lamp, overhead electric wires, or the like.
c. 1450. Brut, 487. At the Ledenhall in Cornhill a standard of tre was set in myddys of the pavement fast in the grounde, nayled with holme and Ive, for disport of Cristmasse to þe peple of the Cite.
14779. Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905), 85. For xxv foote of Elmyn borde, for steppes and standardis for the same steyre, vj d.
1486. Nottingham Rec., III. 257. To ij. sawers for sawyng of þe standerdes of the chymney.
1502. Privy Purse Exp. Eliz. York (1830), 25. Item to John Coneway smyth for foure transoms and xij standardes.
c. 1580. in Fabric Rolls York Minster (Surtees), 118. For helping to carry into the wryghte housse standerdes, powles and boordes.
1587. Mascall, Cattle (1596), 72. Their standarts and posts to fasten them [oxen] by, would be round and smooth.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., XXIII. iii. 222. Whereupon the standard [of a ballista: L. stilus] being now at libertie with that quicke stroke hurleth out the stone.
1627. in Maitl. Club Misc., III. 369, note. For gilting the Cok and thanis and culloring of the same yallow with the glob and standart and stanes above the striple heid.
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 251. Fir Poles, of several lengths for Standards and Ledgers for Scaffolding.
1813. Gentl. Mag., LXXXIII. 227/2. The pyramidal iron lamp standards in the outer court.
1823. P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 593. Standards; the upright poles used in scaffolding. In joinery, the upright pieces of a plate-rack.
1839. Ure, Dict. Arts, 268. An apparatus with cutters attached to a standard.
1840. F. Whishaw, Railw. Gt. Brit. & Irel., 128. The mile-standards are of wood, and are placed at intervals of a quarter of a mile. Ibid., 391. The distances are marked from either end of the line on stone standards.
1856. Hurlstone & Gordon, Exch. Rep., XI. 183. The wires for the use of the railway company rest upon all the posts or standards in the respondents township.
1869. Rankine, Machine & Hand-tools, Pl. D 5. The same turning table also carries the standard, F, which supports the main gearing.
1883. Law Times Rep., XLIX. 139/1. The scaffolding in front was constructed of five standards or uprights and one ledger.
1885. Act 48 & 49 Vict., c. 50 § 4 (iv). The parchase and erection of lamp standards.
1892. Labour Commission Gloss., Standards, two standards, i.e., two wooden legs with feet, which are often used instead of four legs to support the top frame of a table.
1907. H. Wyndham, Flare of Footlights, xxxiii. At intervals [along the Embankment] rose the tall standards of the electric lights.
b. Naut. An inverted knee-timber, having the vertical portion turned upwards.
1748. Ansons Voy., II. iv. 158. Two standards were broken.
1750. Blanckley, Nav. Expositor, Standards are a Sort of Knees fayd from the Deck to the Sides of the Ship within-board, to strengthen her in the same Manner as Knees, but are bigger.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), s.v. Architecture D, The standard of the head which fastens it to the stem.
1874. Thearle, Naval Archit., III. xiii. 222. Standards are knees for connecting the stern posts to the deck beams of screw ships . Standards were fitted in sailing ships connecting the fore side of inner post with the after end of the keelson.
† c. Coachmaking. ? Each of the four corner posts of a coach. Obs.
1659. Pepys, Diary, 26 April. I do resolve upon having the standards of my coach gilt with this new sort of varnish. Ibid., 1 May. We went alone through the town with our new liveries and the standards thus gilt with varnish.
d. In a plow: = SHEATH sb.4
1652. Blithe, Eng. Improver Impr., II. xxix. (1653), 205. By a Standard put into the end of it [sc. the plough-beam].
1727. R. Bradley, Compl. Body Husb., 43, in Compl. Farmer (1766), s.v. Plough, CC are the sheaths or standards.
e. Figure-weaving. (See quot.)
1831. G. R. Porter, Silk Manuf., 284. The leaves [of heddles in a gauze loom] numbered 1 and 2 which are called standards.
f. (See quot.)
1866. J. H. Parker, Concise Gloss. Terms Archit., 251. Standard was also applied to the ends of the oak benches in churches, and that is the common use of the term now.
20. a. Forestry. A tree or shoot from a stump left standing when a coppice is cut down.
1473. Sir J. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 86. That the standardes off suche mesur as he and I comonyd off maye also be reservyd. I suppose it was xxx. inche, abowt a yerde from the grownde.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbachs Husb., II. (1586), 95 b. I sette them on the outside of my Orchard, as standards to defend their fellowes from tempest and weather.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., vi. 94. Felling of Coppices . Trimming up such as you spare for standards, as you go.
1677. Plot, Oxfordsh., 206. That ancient Standard in the high-Park, known of all by the name of the Kings Oak.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 238. If the advantage of the copse alone is attended to, no standard should be left, except such seedlings as appear necessary to renew the stocks.
1832. Planting, 91, in Husbandry (Libr. Usef. Knowl.), III. Standard.The shoots of a coppice stool, selected from those cut down as underwood to remain for large poles or timber-trees.
transf. 1778. [W. Marshall], Minutes Agric., 31 July 1775. This pulled up the running weeds; the standards left, were readily drawn by hand.
b. Gardening. A tree or shrub growing on an erect stem of full height, not dwarfed or trained on a wall or espalier.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Gardens (Arb.), 562. Part of which Heapes, to be with Standards, of little Bushes, prickt upon their Top . The Standards to be Roses; Iuniper; Holly [etc.].
1685. Temple, Gardening, Wks. 1770, III. 218. [Gardens] part laid out for flowers, others for fruits; some standards, some against walls or palisadoes.
1688. Holme, Armoury, II. 86/2. Standards are trees standing of themselves, not on Wall sides.
1713. Guardian, No. 173 (1756), II. 359. The trees, which were standards, and suffered to grow to their full height.
1846. J. Baxter, Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4), I. 261. The fig-tree may be grown either as a standard, espalier, or against a wall.
1903. Q. Rev., Oct., 400. The only material difference between the experiments on dwarfs and standards respectively is that [etc.].
† 1. A kind of collar of mail or plate armor. Obs. exc. Hist.
[13713. Acc. Exch. K. R. 397/10 m. 3. Cxliiij standardis pro loricis.]
1465. Will of T. Packet, in Fairholts Costume (1885), II. 379. A standard of gesserant garnesshed with silver.
1465. Marg. Paston, in P. Lett., II. 190. Sertyn harnys . Inprimis; a standard of mayle [etc.].
c. 1490. in 5th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., 445/1. Fower standardys with two gossetts of mayl.
1530. Palsgr., 275/2. Standart of mayle, gorgerin.
1885. Fairholts Costume (ed. 3), I. 205. [On monuments 1391 and 1412] the camail is replaced by, or covered over with, a standard of plate.
† 22. Some kind of service-book. Obs.
c. 1400. in Fabric Rolls York Minster (Surtees), 244. Super librum vocatum standard. Ibid. (1409), 245. Standerdes, ac eciam libri processionales, [etc.].
1503. Visit. Southwell (Camden), 71. Libri in choro vulgariter vocati le Standarths.
† 23. A large packing-case or chest. Obs.
13713. Acc. Exch. K. R. 397/10 m. 3. j. standard magn[um] ferro ligatum, vj. Ciste magne ferro ligate.
1464. Inv., in T. H. Turners Dom. Archit. (1859), III. 113. A square standarde, & covered with blaak letheir, & bowden with yrne, with 2 lokys . A grete red standerd, full of stuff . A gret standard of the chapell, bounde wth ierne, with 2 lokks.
1530. Privy Purse Exp. Hen. VIII. (1827), 43. For ij standardes for to cary plate fro yorke place to hampton courte.
a. 1562. G. Cavendish, Wolsey (1893), 183. The kyng caused to be sent hyme iii or iiii cartloods of stuffe, and most parte thereof was lokked in great standerds.
1663. Cheque Bk. Chapel Royal (Camden), 83. The Sergeant shall deliver the Gentlemen their surplices out of the standard. Ibid., 93. Item, three standards, whereof one is for the song books of our sayd Chapell.
† 24. Coining. ? = PILE sb.4 1. Obs.
1473. Chancery Enrolments, Durham 3/49 m. 6 (P.R.O.). We haue licencid William Omorighe to make graue and prynte ij dosene Trussellys and j dosene Standerdys for penys and .iiij. Standerdys and viiij. Trussellys for half penys. Ibid. (1477), 3/52 m. 4 (P.R.O.). To make iij. dosen Trussels and .ij. dosen Standerdys for penys, and ij. dosen trussels and j. dosen Standerdys for halfpenys.
25. s.w. dial. A large standing tub used for washing purposes, for containing salted meat, etc. (Eng. Dial. Dict.).
1535. in Weaver, Wells Wills (1890), 116. ii. vates, a standerde, a barell and a kole.
26. † a. Something permanent; something that has lasted a long time. In plural, Permanent or necessary furniture or apparatus (of a household, etc.). Obs.
1492. Deed A. 8331, in Catal. Anc. Deeds P. R. O. (1902), IV. 292. [She to have all the goods and chattels of the said Sir William] except the stondardys of howseholde [and all his growing corn, etc.].
1506. Will J. Cornwallis, in Privy Purse Exp. Eliz. York (1830), 224/2. All the brewyng vessells and standards in the brewhouse and bakehouse.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, I. xxiii. (1640), 35. The mountains are standards too great for either time or warre to remove. Ibid. (1650), Pisgah, V. 191. So there are certain standards in all visions, being the materiall and corporall ground-work, for a spirituall flourish to improve itself thereupon.
1655. H. LEstrange, Reign K. Charles, 157. The Queen was loath to proscribe so long a standard as Episcopacy, to entertain such an upstart in-mate as Presbytery.
b. One who has been long in a position; an old resident, official, servant, etc. Now only old standard (rare exc. dial.).
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Gen. xi. (1662), I. 38. The Ficklenesse and Fugitivenesse of such Servants, justly addeth a valuation to their Constancy, who are Standards in a Family.
1665. Wood, Life (O.H.S.), II. 45. This Dr. was an old standard and at leisure times he would entertaine A. W. with old stories relating to the universitie.
1768. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 410. I believe [the new Cabinet will harmonize] well , the old standards are usefull & I think makes every office better.
† 27. Cookery. (Of somewhat obscure meaning; usually explained as principal or standing dish.)
1513. Bk. Keruynge, in Babees Bk., 157. For standarde, venyson roste, kydde, fawne & cony [etc.]. Ibid., 166. The seconde course. Gelly whyte and rede samon, dorrey, brytte, turbot, halybut; for standarde, base, troute [etc.].
1526. in J. Croft, Excerpta Ant. (1797), 79. Item, a Roe roasted for Standart. Ibid., 80. Item, for a Standart Cranes, two of a Dish.
† 28. A suit (of clothes): STAND sb.1 23 a. Obs.
1630. B. Jonson, New Inn, Argt. II. The Lady had commanded a standard of her owne best apparrell to bee brought downe. Ibid., II. ii. We ha brought a standard of apparrell, down, Because this Taylor fayld vs i the maine.
† b. ? A set (of plumes). Obs.
1578. Invent. R. Wardr. (1815), 238. Foure standeris of fedderis for the toppis of beddis.
IV. attrib. and Comb.
29. Simple attrib. a. in sense 1, as standard-car, -flag, -guard, half-squadron, pole, -shaft, -sheet, -spear, -staff.
1848. W. Hemingburghs Chronicon, I. 59, note. The carroccio, or great *standard-car, is said to have been invented in the year 1035.
1821. Sporting Mag., VII. 196. When potent nature her *standard-flag rears.
1750. Phil. Trans., XLVII. 6. A soldier being confind to a tent calld the *standard-guard.
1796. Cavalry Instr. (1813), 227. The commanding officer in the rear of the *standard half squadron.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 23 Nov. 1644. The ropes and cables which support the *standard-pole.
1497. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 89. *Standard shaftes.
1799. Campbell, Pleas. Hope, II. 180. The stormy showers Freeze every *standard-sheet.
1825. Scott, Talism., xi. [He] laid his hand on the *standard-spear, as if to pluck it from the ground.
1560. Phaër, Æneid, IX. (1562), E e ij b. His fyriesmoking bronds on *standard-staff Mezentius shooke.
1802. C. James, Milit. Dict., Soc, a machine fixed near the stirrup, to receive the end of the standard staff.
1855. Kingsley, Westw. Ho! xx. His left hand on the standard-staff, his sword pointed in his right.
b. in sense 9, as standard mark.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Standard-mark, a legal assay mark for gold of 22 carats fine, and for silver of 11 oz. 2 dwts.
1884. F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 116. The Standard Mark of the London Hall is a lion passant for sterling silver.
1889. Gretton, Memorys Harkback, 73. In stature and in grasp of mind rather below standard-mark.
c. in sense 12 b.
1882. S. C. Buxton, in 19th Cent., Nov., 792. The standard subjects are the three Rs, while the class subjects include English grammar, geography and needlework.
30. Special comb.: standard-bred a., of horses, etc., bred up to the standard of excellence prescribed by some authority; standard-high a., of the height of a standard shrub (see B. 5); standard lamp, a lamp with a tall standard resting on the floor (either moveable, as a lamp for domestic use, or fixed, as in churches).
1891. Century Dict., *Standard-bred.
1901. Westm. Gaz., 28 Sept., 4/3. The standard-bred mare.
1842. Loudon, Suburban Hort., 555. Standard cherry trees are generally budded *standard high, on free stocks of three years growth from the seed.
1900. G. Swift, Somerley, 124. [He] came and stood with me under the light of the tall *standard-lamp.
B. adj. [Attributive use of the sb.]
I. 1. Serving as a standard of measurement, weight or value; conformed to the official standard of a unit of measure or weight.
1622. Malynes, Anc. Law-Merch., 306. If it bee appointed of make a Standard peece of tenne ounces fine.
1669. Beale, in Phil. Trans., IV. 1113. A measure, taken exactly from the standard-foot of London.
1827. Faraday, Chem. Manip., iii. (1842), 67. The standard or imperial pint now to be used is larger than the wine pint.
1862. H. Spencer, First Princ., II. vi. § 61 (1875), 192 a. From the standard-measure preserved at Westminster, are derived the measures for trigonometrical surveys.
1870. Jevons, Elem. Logic, xxxiii. 290. A yard or foot has no meaning unless there be a definite standard yard or foot which fixes the meaning.
1871. B. Stewart, Heat (ed. 2), § 25. The difference between mercurial and the standard air thermometer becomes very considerable at high temperatures.
1873. J. C. Maxwell, Electr. & Magn. (1881), II. 322. When it is intended to measure a current [electric] with the greatest accuracy in terms of standard units, it is called a Standard Galvanometer.
1878. Jevons, Primer Pol. Econ., 108. In the English system of money, gold is the standard money and the legal tender.
1879. Cassells Techn. Educ., II. 175. The unit of calculation adopted in practice is a sperm candle one-sixth of a pound in weight and burning 120 grains per hour; this is called a standard candle, and the standard burner in use in London is Suggs London Argand, Number 1.
1884. Knight, Dict. Mech., Suppl., Standard Battery (Electricity). One to be used as a standard, having a perfectly constant electro-motive force.
b. Having the prescribed or normal size, amount, power, degree of quality, etc.
Standard gange (Railways): see quot. 1884; also attrib.
1807. T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 2), 165. He calculated, that the increase of density, on mixing different quantities of standard acid and water, was [etc.].
1813. J. Thomson, Lect. Inflam., 113. In hectic fever the temperature seldom rises two or three degrees above the natural or standard temperature.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 550. The standard thickness of a brick wall is 11/2 brick laid lengthwise . A rod of standard brick-work will require 4500 bricks.
1826. Art of Brewing (ed. 2), 17. To evaporate the unnecessary quantity to a standard gravity.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem., Org., 60. For the preparation of the standard copper solutions.
1878. Stewart & Tait, Unseen Univ., iii. § 107. 120. That of boiling water under the standard pressure is 374°.
1881. Chicago Times, 12 March. A standard-gauge railroad.
1884. Knight, Dict. Mech., Suppl. s.v., Standard gage means 4′ 81/2″ between centers of rails.
1889. Hardwickes Science-Gossip, XXV. 184/2. They are rectangular in shape, and are made of one standard size.
1900. P. N. Hasluck, Model Engin. Handybk., 43. All the small parts would be made to some standard measurement.
1904. D. J. Shackleton, Sp. Ho. Comm., 23 March, in Hansard, 553. In using the words standard rate of wages in his Resolution, he desired the House to understand that he meant the trade union rate. Ibid., 557. That this House is of opinion that the wages paid to the unskilled workers in Government factories should be not less than the standard rate of wages.
c. Standard deal: see quots.
1834. McCulloch, Dict. Comm. (ed. 2), 1150. 361/3 Russian stand[ard] deals 12 ft. long, 11/2 inch thick, 11 inch broad, make 1 load timber.
1867. Smyth, Sailors Word-bk., Standard-Deals, those planks of the pine or fir above 7 inches wide and 6 feet long.
d. Of bread (see quot.).
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 178. Previously to 1815 bakers were restricted to the baking of three kinds of breadwheaten, standard wheaten, and household. The wheaten was made of the best flour, the standard wheaten of the different kinds of flour mixed together.
2. Of precious metals, coins: Conforming to the legal standard of fineness or intrinsic value. Also said of value or fineness.
1677. W. B., Touchst. Gold & Silver (title-p.), Discovering how to know Adulterated Wares from those made of the True Standard Alloy.
1691. Locke, Consid. Raising Value Money, Wks. 1714, II. 68. The Fineness of Standard Silver in England is eleven parts Silver, and one part Copper, near.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Jacobus, a Gold-coin of two sorts, viz. the Broad Piece of Twenty Shillings Standard-value and the 22s. Broad-Piece.
1790. Kerr, in Phil. Trans., LXXX. 370. I added 144 grains of standard silver.
1809. R. Langford, Introd. Trade, 38. Standard Gold contains 11 parts of pure Gold, and 1 part of alloy. Standard Silver contains 37 parts of pure Silver, and 3 parts of alloy.
1866. Crump, Banking, x. 230. The standard purity of the sovereign underwent many changes.
1879. Cassells Techn. Educ., IV. 308/2. Standard gold which implies the quality used for coinage is what is called twenty-two carat.
3. Serving or fitted to serve as a standard of comparison or judgment.
1724. A. Collins, Gr. Chr. Relig., 103. It seems incredible, that Origen and other Christians of his time should receive an Old Testament (and that with the greatest applause for its integrity, and as a standard Text) from enemies.
1776. Burney, Hist. Mus., I. 276, note. We may suppose this sound to be the standard pitch, and fundamental note of the Mercurian lyre.
1845. De Morgan, Globes, 95. One hundred of these [sc. the fixed stars] are selected, among which are the standard stars, as they are called, being those which are best known and best adapted for the most accurate use.
b. Of a book, an author: That has a permanent rank as an authority, or as an exemplar of excellence.
1645. Milton, Tetrach., Wks. 1851, IV. 180. But Erasmus, who for having writ an excellent Treatise of Divorce, was wrote against by som burly standard Divine, defends his former work.
1728. Pope, Dunc., IV. 123. Let standard-authors, thus, like trophies born, Appear more glorious as more hackd and torn.
1759. Goldsm., Bee, No. 8 Acc. Augustan Age, ¶ 5. That he [LEstrange] was a standard writer cannot be disowned, because a great many very eminent authors formed their style by his.
1783. H. Blair, Lect. Rhet., xx. 408. The good sense, and good writing render it [Addisons Spectator] one of those standard books which have done the greatest honour to the English nation.
1891. Speaker, 2 May, 534/1. Professor von Meyer, of Leipzig, brought out a History of Chemistry, which has rapidly won its way into recognition in scientific circles as a standard book on the subject.
c. Of a law: That has the chief authority with reference to a particular subject.
1752. J. Louthian, Form of Process (ed. 2), 162. The Standard-law in England, concerning High Treason, is the Statute of the 25th of Edward III. cap. 2.
d. Of a maxim, etc.: Constantly repeated, standing, stock.
1805. Foster, Ess., III. i. 10. A standard expression of contemptuous dispatch.
1870. M. Arnold, St. Paul & Protestantism (1875), Pref. 36. Mr Mialls standard-maxim: The Dissidence of Dissent, and the Protestantism of the Protestant religion.
1885. Spectator, 25 July, 977/1. He [Glooskap] has his oft-repeated little standard jokes.
II. 4. Upright, set up on end, or vertically.
Standard-knee = STANDARD sb. 19 b.
1538. in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden), 276. Item, ij standert candelstyckes.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seamans Gram., ii. 14. All the beames to be bound with two knees at each end, and a standard knee at euery beames end vpon the Orlope.
1733. W. Ellis, Chiltern & Vale Farm., 318. Its Standard Iron Pin is twenty Inches long and one Inch Diameter.
1833. Loudon, Encycl. Archit., § 981. Each fireplace to have standard grates (kitchen grates supporting themselves by feet in front).
1846. A. Young, Naut. Dict., 295. Standard-knees.
1865. Morning Star, 27 Feb. The illumination is produced almost entirely by standard gas-burners.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., Standard-piles, in a coffer-dam. Piles placed at regular intervals apart and connected by runners.
1901. J. Blacks Carp. & Build., Scaffolding, 21. Each side of the inner square was divided into two by two upright poles, so that there were thirty-six standard poles on the outside, and sixteen on the inside.
5. Of a tree or shrub: Grown as a standard, not dwarfed or trained on a wall.
1685. Temple, Ess. Gardens, Wks. 1731, I. 185. The Border is set with Standard Laurels.
1716. Lond. Gaz., No. 5488/8. Standard Trees of Cherries, Apples, &c.
1798. Times, 28 June, 4/2. Large walled Garden of near an acre, abundantly stocked with standard and wall fruit trees.
1842. Florists Jrnl. (1846), III. 87. The habit does not make it answer so well as a standard rose.
1908. Eliz. Fowler, Betw. Trent & Ancholme, 17. A tall standard Rose.