'Touchstone' definitions:
Definition of 'touchstone'
(from WordNet)
Definition of 'Touchstone'
From: GCIDE
- Touchstone \Touch"stone`\, n.
- 1. (Min.) Lydian stone; basanite; -- so called because used to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak which is left upon the stone when it is rubbed by the metal. See Basanite. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Fig.: Any test or criterion by which the qualities of a thing are tried. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
- The foregoing doctrine affords us also a touchstone for the trial of spirits. --South. [1913 Webster]
- Irish touchstone (Min.), basalt, the stone which composes the Giant's Causeway. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'touchstone'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- acid test,
- assay,
- barometer,
- benchmark,
- blank determination,
- brouillon,
- canon,
- check,
- criterion,
- crucial test,
- crucible,
- degree,
- demonstration,
- determination,
- docimasy,
- essay,
- feeling out,
- first draft,
- gauge,
- graduated scale,
- kiteflying,
- measure,
- model,
- norm,
- ordeal,
- parameter,
- pattern,
- probation,
- proof,
- quantity,
- reading,
- readout,
- reference,
- rough draft,
- rough sketch,
- rule,
- scale,
- sounding out,
- standard,
- test,
- test case,
- trial,
- try,
- type,
- value,
- verification,
- yardstick