The word "criteria" comes from the Ancient Greek word "kriterion," which means "a means of judging or deciding." The word "criterion" was first used in English in the 16th century, and it has been used in a variety of contexts since then. In philosophy, a criterion is a principle or standard that is used to judge the truth or validity of a statement. In science, a criterion is a variable or measure that is used to assess the quality or effectiveness of a treatment or intervention. In psychology, a criterion is a characteristic or behavior that is used to diagnose a mental disorder or determine the severity of a disorder. In education, a criterion is a standard or goal that students are expected to achieve.