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I'm trying to find the word for meeting a summary-level (top level) requirement/criteria, by meeting all lower level criteria.

For example, assume the only requirements for being a car were 1) 4+ wheels, 2) has an engine, and 3) can carry one or more passengers. What I would like to say is that "By meeting the three sub-criteria, that thing can be classified as a car _________ ". The closest I can think is "by default" or "by proxy", but neither really seem to fit.

EDIT: After asking this question, I think the phrase is "by virtue of", as in "This thing can be classified as a car by virtue of satisfying the three sub-criteria". Thoughts?

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    By definition? (It doesn't mean exactly what you say, but it means that the vehicle satisfies all your conditions for 'being a car'.)
    – Kate Bunting
    Jul 6 at 11:55
  • @KateBunting Thanks, that's a great suggestion.
    – dberm22
    Jul 6 at 11:57
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    Technically could work also. "By meeting the three sub-criteria, that thing can technically be classified as a car."
    – ermanen
    Jul 6 at 12:15
  • It can be classified as a car, because it satisfies all the required elements. If "elements" sounds too legalistic, you could replace it with "criteria." By the way, "criteria" is fine -- you don't need "sub-criteria."
    – aparente001
    Jul 7 at 3:55

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