2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
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}.
2. Fig.: Any test or criterion by which the qualities of a
thing are tried --Hooker.
The foregoing doctrine affords us also a touchstone
for the trial of spirits. --South.
{Irish touchstone} (Min.), basalt, the stone which composes
the Giant's Causeway.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
touchstone
n : a basis for comparison; a reference point against which
other things can be evaluated; "they set the measure for
all subsequent work" [syn: {standard}, {criterion}, {measure}]
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Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
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