Touchstone
/ˈtʌtʃ.stoʊn/noun
A standard or criterion for testing the quality or genuineness of something.
Did you know?In ancient alchemy, touchstones were believed to reveal hidden truths about metals, connecting the physical with the mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Old French
Old French
touche
“to touch, to feel”
Latin
Latin
tangere
“to touch”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tenk-
“to stretch, to touch”
Middle English
Middle English
touchstone
“a stone used to test the purity of gold and silver”
Modern English
English
touchstone
“a figurative term for a standard or criterion.”