Norm

Norm (nO:m), n. [Anglicized form of norma: cf. also norme.] OED.

1. A standard, model, pattern, type. OED.
Semantic Identities: French: Norme; Spanish: Norma; Italian: Norma.

Every expression of his upon controverted points became a norm for the party. Pusey (Hist. Enq.) 1828 OED (Estéf.)

The mind must find in itself the norm or principle of unity upon which it works. E. Caird (Philos. Kant) 1877 OED (Estéf.)

Beatrice considered that I was utterly characteristic, completely true to type; once she called me a norm. J. P. Marquand (H.M. Pulham, Esquire) 1941 OED (Estéf.)

Frequently the newcomer arrives with the belief that the prevailing norm about using Hebrew to the exclusion of other languages is more rigidly observed than is actually the case. […] Soon, however, the newcomer becomes aware of the wide range of deviations from the norm. S. R. Herman (Readings Sociol. of Lang.) 1961 OED (Estéf.)

One particular respect in which a group equilibrium develops is in the formation of norms—shared patterns of behaving, feeling and thinking. All social groups develop norms, particularly about matters connected with the group's main purposes and activities. […] When group members deviate from the norms, various kinds of persuasion, pressure and sanctions are exerted in order to make them conform. M. Argyle (Psychol. & Social Probl.) 1964 OED (Estéf.)




2. Attrib. and Comb.

It represents a return to the machine, regarded realistically and as mechanism to produce mechanical norm-types. 1934 Archit. Rev. OED (Estéf.)

All these findings can be regarded as instances of social learning, mediated by the usual processes of persuasion, imitation and norm-formation. M. Argyle (Relig. Behaviour) 1958 OED (Estéf.)

Why do people choose rapid industrialization with its attendant psychological turmoil over social stability and norm adherence? I. L. Horowitz (New Sociology) 1964 OED (Estéf.)



norma ("nO:mə) Also pl. normae ("nO:m:i;). [L. norma, carpenter's or mason's square; hence, pattern, rule, etc. So in Sp., Pg., and It.] OED.

norm n.
Semantic Identities: French: Norme.

He is cautious, and never willingly varies from that norma which he has once found successful. M. Donovan (Dom. Econ.) 1830 OED (Estéf.)

We can only understand the normæ of their action. Grove (Corr. Phys. Forces) 1842 OED (Estéf.)