touchstone

noun

touch·​stone ˈtəch-ˌstōn How to pronounce touchstone (audio)
plural touchstones
1
: a fundamental or quintessential part or feature : basis
a touchstone film of that decade
now considered a touchstone of the city's lifeMichael Specter
2
: a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of a thing
Good service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant.
3
: a black siliceous stone related to flint that is used to test the purity of gold and formerly silver by the streak left on the stone when rubbed by the metal

Did you know?

Since the early 16th century, touchstone has referred to a particular kind of siliceous stone (that is, stone containing silica) used to do a particular job: determine the purity of precious metals. The process involves comparing marks made by rubbing a sample of a metal of known purity to marks made by a metal of unknown purity. The method is accurate enough in the case of determining the purity of gold that it is still in use today. Figurative use extended from this literal use, with touchstone functioning as a word for a test or criterion to determine the quality of a thing, and later to refer to a fundamental or quintessential part or feature of something.

Choose the Right Synonym for touchstone

standard, criterion, gauge, yardstick, touchstone mean a means of determining what a thing should be.

standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

Examples of touchstone in a Sentence

Good service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant. his book has long been a touchstone for travel writing that aspires to be literature
Recent Examples on the Web To counter the outdated popular lore about big families, new cultural touchstones that reflect Italy’s demographic realities are starting to emerge. Alessandra Migliaccio, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 One day — perhaps not immediately, but soon — Priscilla will be seen as a touchstone for what women were once made to endure for the sake of public perception. Yolanda MacHado, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024 The O’Flaherty clan is still running the pub-restaurant, which reigns year-round as downtown San Jose’s Irish touchstone. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Something had clearly shifted for Monét, who had finally cultivated a sound that naturally suited her, in mixing contemporary R&B with shag-carpet touchstones from 1970s soul. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024 The film helped further launch the stars of leads including Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair and Sarah Michelle Gellar, and has remained a pop culture touchstone since its debut. Eric Todisco, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 But, viewed another way, did the Unknown not deliver something of the shadowy dread that has made Dahl’s novels enduring touchstones to generations of readers? Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024 Chess has long been a touchstone for testing new ideas in artificial intelligence, and Penrose’s puzzles piqued Zahavy’s interest. Stephen Ornes, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2024 The movie remains a cultural touchstone, with a stage musical currently in previews on Broadway. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'touchstone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of touchstone was in 1530

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Cite this Entry

“Touchstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchstone. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

touchstone

noun
touch·​stone ˈtəch-ˌstōn How to pronounce touchstone (audio)
1
: a black stone 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 for judging something

More from Merriam-Webster on touchstone

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