TOUCHSTONE


Meaning of TOUCHSTONE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈtəch-ˌstōn ]

noun

Date: 1530

1. : a black siliceous stone related to flint and formerly used to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak left on the stone when rubbed by the metal

2. : a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of a thing

3. : a fundamental or quintessential part or feature : basis

a touchstone film of that decade

now considered a touchstone of the city's life — Michael Specter

Synonyms: see standard

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.