cornerstone
Dated ceremonial block
A cornerstone is literally a stone at the corner of a building's foundation, often ceremonially laid to mark construction's beginning.
Figuratively, it means the fundamental element on which something depends: Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship.
The word implies both foundational importance and structural necessity—remove it and everything built upon it weakens.
Solid stone underground
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- pillarUpright architectural support
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
groundwork · basis · anchor · root · footing · linchpin · mainstay · backbone
Upright architectural support
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- hallmarkDistinguishing characteristic or mark
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- standardLevel of quality accepted
archetype · flagship · centerpiece · crux · heart · essence · nucleus · fulcrum
Point of creation
- inceptionFounding moment
- originStarting point or source
- foundingCreating an organization originally
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
inauguration · launch · commencement · birth · dawn · outset · starting · initial
Building with mortared blocks
- quoinAngled masonry block
- buildingEnclosed roofed structure
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- wallVertical enclosing structure
structure · construction · laying · ceremony · dedication · inscription · plaque · facade
bedrock
Solid stone underground
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- pillarUpright architectural support
underpinning · groundwork · basis · anchor · root · footing · linchpin · mainstay · backbone · support
pillar
Upright architectural support
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- hallmarkDistinguishing characteristic or mark
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
standard · archetype · flagship · centerpiece · crux · heart · essence · nucleus · fulcrum · lodestone
genesis
Point of creation
establishment · inauguration · launch · commencement · birth · dawn · outset · starting · initial · seed
masonry
Building with mortared blocks
wall · structure · construction · laying · ceremony · dedication · inscription · plaque · facade · edifice
- foundationsfoundation, foundations, base, footing, footings
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- Building metaphorsfoundation, building blocks, pillar, framework, scaffolding
- fundamentalsbasics, fundamentals, essentials, foundation, ABCs
- getting startedgetting started, start, begin, first steps, basics
- house exteriorsfront door, siding, roof, windows, garage door
cornerstoneafterthought
Idea added belatedly
triviality · nonessential · accessory · embellishment · appendage
cornerstoneabolish
Officially end a practice
demolition · dismantling · destruction · dissolution · undoing