Cornerstone

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A stone forming the base at the corner of a building.

    "Clutch it like a cornerstone Otherwise it all comes down Justify denials and Grip 'em to the lonesome end"

  2. 2
    a stone at the outer corner of two intersecting masonry walls wordnet
  3. 3
    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."

  4. 4
    a stone in the exterior of a large and important building; usually carved with a date and laid with appropriate ceremonies wordnet
  5. 5
    That which is prominent, fundamental, noteworthy, or central. figuratively

    "Exceptional service is the cornerstone of the hospitality industry."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained wordnet

Etymology

From Middle English corner ston; equivalent to corner + stone. The figurative sense is in part after Psalm 118:22, and is also quoted several times in the New Testament.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: cornerstone