cornerstone
See also: corner-stone
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English corner ston; equivalent to corner + stone. The figurative sense in part after Psalm 118:22, quoted several times in the New Testament.
Noun
cornerstone (plural cornerstones)
- A stone forming the base at the corner of a building.
- 2001, “The Grudge”, performed by Tool:
- Clutch it like a cornerstone
Otherwise it all comes down
Justify denials and
Grip 'em to the lonesome end
- Such a stone used ceremonially, often inscribed with the architect's and owner's names, dates and other details.
- The cornerstone on the Flatiron Building is set on the Fifth Avenue facade.
- (figuratively) That which is prominent, fundamental, noteworthy, or central.
- Exceptional service is the cornerstone of the hospitality industry.
- That is the cornerstone of any meaningful debate about budgets and projects, regulations and policies.
- 2019 July 15, Greg Afinogenov, “The Jewish Case for Open Borders”, in Jewish Currents[1], number Summer 2019:
- Jewish immigrants came together with other foreign-born groups in organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World, helping to create one of the cornerstones of the American left.
Coordinate terms
Translations
base stone
|
ceremonial stone
|
that which is prominent, fundamental, noteworthy, or central
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Further reading
cornerstone on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Anagrams
Middle English
Noun
cornerstone
- Alternative form of corner ston