norma, ae, f. [for gnorima (cf. Gr. γνώριμος); root, gno-; cf. gnarus, nosco], a square, employed by carpenters, masons, etc., for making right angles (cf. regula).
I Lit.: anguli ad normam respondentes, Vitr. 7, 3; 9, 2; Plin. 36, 22, 51, § 172.—
II Trop., a rule, pattern, precept : nec sunt haec rhythmicorum aut musicorum acerrima norma dirigenda, Cic. de Or. 3, 49, 190: vitam ad certam rationis normam dirigere, id. Mur. 2, 3: numquam ego dicam Fabricium, Curtium, Coruncanium ad istorum (Stoicorum) normam fuisse sapientes, id. Lael. 5, 18: hanc normam, hanc regulam, hanc praescriptionem esse naturae, id. Ac. 2 ( Luc. ), 46, 140: natura norma legis est, id. Leg. 2, 24, 61: juris, id. de Or. 2, 42, 178: loquendi, Hor. A. P. 72: norma et regula oratoris, Plin. Ep. 9, 26, 8.