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Touchstone: meaning, definitions and examples

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touchstone

 

[ˈtʌtʃˌstoʊn ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

standard of quality

A touchstone is a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized. It often refers to a fundamental reference point that can be used to evaluate the quality of something. The term originated from the practice of testing the purity of gold or silver using a black stone, where a mark made by the metal would indicate its quality. In modern usage, it extends to any basis for comparison in various fields, including art, literature, and personal achievement.

Synonyms

benchmark, criteria, paradigm, reference point, standard.

Examples of usage

  • The author used classic literature as a touchstone for her new novel.
  • In deciding the winner, the committee referred to a touchstone of creativity and innovation.
  • Trustworthiness is often regarded as a touchstone in professional relationships.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originated in the early 15th century, coming from the Old French 'touche', meaning 'to touch', and 'stone', referring to the stone used for testing.
  • Originally, it referred to a specific type of black stone used by goldsmiths to check the purity of gold by leaving a mark.

Literature

  • In literature, 'touchstone' is often used metaphorically to refer to a standard of comparison to judge the quality of other works.
  • Shakespeare famously used the term in his play 'As You Like It', implying a measure of worth against which others can be assessed.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, touchstones symbolize integrity and truth, emphasizing the importance of testing values and principles.
  • The concept of a touchstone has evolved to represent an essential criterion in various fields, such as ethics, art, and commerce.

Science

  • In chemistry, touchstone-like methods are used to test materials, helping scientists verify the composition of substances through simple tests.
  • Modern analytical techniques often serve the role of a touchstone in laboratories, providing standards to compare new data against.

Education

  • Education systems often use assessments as touchstones to measure student progress, guiding teaching strategies based on those results.
  • Class discussions can serve as touchstones for students to explore and compare their understanding of complex topics with peers.

Translations

Translations of the word "touchstone" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pedra de toque

🇮🇳 स्पर्श पत्थर

🇩🇪 Prüfstein

🇮🇩 batu uji

🇺🇦 камінь для випробування

🇵🇱 kamień próbny

🇯🇵 試金石

🇫🇷 pierre de touche

🇪🇸 piedra de toque

🇹🇷 dokunma taşı

🇰🇷 시험석

🇸🇦 حجر الاختبار

🇨🇿 zkušební kámen

🇸🇰 skúšobný kameň

🇨🇳 试金石

🇸🇮 preizkusni kamen

🇮🇸 prófsteinn

🇰🇿 сынақ тас

🇬🇪 ტესტის ქვა

🇦🇿 sınaq daşı

🇲🇽 piedra de toque

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,521, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.