also corner-stone
(~s)
The ~ of something is the basic part of it on which its existence, success, or truth depends. (FORMAL)
Research is the ~ of the profession.
= keystone
N-COUNT: oft N of n
also corner-stone
(~s)
The ~ of something is the basic part of it on which its existence, success, or truth depends. (FORMAL)
Research is the ~ of the profession.
= keystone
N-COUNT: oft N of n
Collins COBUILD. Толковый словарь английского языка для изучающих язык Коллинз COBUILD (международная база данных языков Бирмингемского университета) . 2012