Critteria

/krɪˈtɪriə/ noun

Definition

A non-standard or dialectal plural of 'criteria,' meaning standards, rules, or measures by which things are judged or evaluated.

Etymology

From Greek kriterion (a means for judging) + -ia plural suffix. This non-standard plural reflects linguistic variation; 'criteria' is already technically plural (from singular criterion), making 'critteria' a double plural.

Kelly Says

The singular 'criterion' / plural 'criteria' confusion has spawned 'critteria' and other variants—it's one of the most common 'mistakes' in modern English because the Latin-Greek plural system feels wrong to our Germanic-based language instincts.

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