Norm
/nɔːrm/noun
A standard, pattern, or expected rule of behavior.
Did you know?Norm entered English through Latin norma, the name of a carpenter’s square, and the same root also gave us words tied to rules, measuring, and straightness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gnō-
“to know”
Latin
Latin
norma
“a carpenter’s square; a rule or pattern”
Late Latin
Latin
norma
“a standard, model, or rule”
18th Century
English
norm
“a rule or authoritative standard”
Modern English
English
norm
“an accepted standard or usual pattern”
Explore more surprising origins