touchstone

/ˈtʌt͡ʃstəʊn/

noun 2name 1

Collocations

ADJ.

elastic, trial

VERB + TOUCHSTONE

form

TOUCHSTONE + NOUN

beings, human

ADV.

also, only, rather

Definitions

noun

A stone used to verify the quality of gold alloys by rubbing them in order to leave a visible trace.

A standard of comparison or evaluation.

Near-synonym: comparator

The foregoing doctrine affords us also a touchstone for the trial of spirits.

name

A surname.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a basis for comparison

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Near-synonym: comparator

Wiktionary

The foregoing doctrine affords us also a touchstone for the trial of spirits.

Wiktionary

"Expectation of life" is an elastic term: the touchstone here is rather the aggregate amount of work that the locomotive does during its working life.

Wiktionary

The forebearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual uses it, is the test of a true gentleman.

Tatoeba · #7431777

Do not praise anyone before you hear him speak, for that is the touchstone of human beings.

Tatoeba · #11086476

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, touchstone is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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