CORNERSTONE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cornerstone mean? 

• CORNERSTONE (noun)
  The noun CORNERSTONE has 3 senses:

1. the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

2. a stone in the exterior of a large and important building; usually carved with a date and laid with appropriate ceremonies

3. a stone at the outer corner of two intersecting masonry walls

  Familiarity information: CORNERSTONE used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CORNERSTONE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

base; basis; cornerstone; foundation; fundament; groundwork

Context example:

the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture

Hypernyms ("cornerstone" is a kind of...):

assumption; supposal; supposition (a hypothesis that is taken for granted)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cornerstone"):

meat and potatoes (the fundamental part)

Holonyms ("cornerstone" is a part of...):

explanation (thought that makes something comprehensible)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A stone in the exterior of a large and important building; usually carved with a date and laid with appropriate ceremonies

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("cornerstone" is a kind of...):

stone (building material consisting of a piece of rock hewn in a definite shape for a special purpose)

Holonyms ("cornerstone" is a part of...):

building; edifice (a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A stone at the outer corner of two intersecting masonry walls

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("cornerstone" is a kind of...):

stone (building material consisting of a piece of rock hewn in a definite shape for a special purpose)

Holonyms ("cornerstone" is a part of...):

building; edifice (a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place)