cornerstone
pronunciation
How to pronounce cornerstone in British English:
UK [ˈkɔːnəstəʊn]
How to pronounce cornerstone in American English:
US [ˈkɔːrnərstoʊn]
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- Noun:
- the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained
- a stone in the exterior of a large and important building; usually carved with a date and laid with appropriate ceremonies
- a stone at the outer corner of two intersecting masonry walls
Word Origin
- cornerstone (n.)
- late 13c., from corner (n.) + stone (n.). The figurative use is from early 14c. I endorse without reserve the much abused sentiment of Governor M'Duffie, that "Slavery is the corner-stone of our republican edifice;" while I repudiate, as ridiculously absurd, that much lauded but nowhere accredited dogma of Mr. Jefferson, that "all men are born equal." No society has ever yet existed, and I have already incidentally quoted the highest authority to show that none ever will exist, without a natural variety of classes. [James H. Hammond, "Letter to an English Abolitionist" 1845]
Example
- 1. Urbanization is a cornerstone of china 's development strategy .
- 2. Aerobic activity is the cornerstone of most fitness programs .
- 3. Furthermore , cornerstone investors themselves are taking a considerable risk .
- 4. Such questions today constitute the cornerstone of the ever-louder logic of sustainability .
- 5. A sound banking system is the cornerstone on which the economy is built .