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cornerstone

 - 2 dictionary results

cor⋅ner⋅stone

  [kawr-ner-stohn]
Use cornerstone in a Sentence
–noun
1. a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.
2. a stone representing the nominal starting place in the construction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date and laid with appropriate ceremonies.
3. something that is essential, indispensable, or basic: The cornerstone of democratic government is a free press.
4. the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed: The cornerstone of his argument was that all people are created equal.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME; see corner, stone
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cornerstone
cor·ner·stone also corner stone   (kôr'nər-stōn')   
n.  

    1. A stone at the corner of a building uniting two intersecting walls; a quoin.

    2. Such a stone, often inscribed, laid at a ceremony marking the origin of a building.

  2. An indispensable and fundamental basis: the cornerstone of an argument.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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