keystone
Arch's locking wedge
A keystone is the wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks all the other stones in place.
Without it, the arch collapses.
This architectural reality makes keystone a natural metaphor for anything essential that holds a system together: Tourism is the keystone of the local economy.
A keystone species is one whose presence is critical to an ecosystem's survival. (Capitalized Keystone appears in various proper names.)
Vital securing element
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- hubCentral connection point
- coreCentral essential portion
nucleus · heart · pivotal · crucial · centerpiece · mainstay · anchor · bedrock
One that leaps
- archwayCurved overhead passage
- vaultSecure storage chamber
- spanDistance between endpoints
- abutmentLoad-bearing end structure
spandrel · pier · dome · cupola · arcade · aqueduct · bridge · ogive
Finest taxonomic rank
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
habitat · conservation · extinction · trophic · wildlife · interdependence · apex · population
linchpin
Vital securing element
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- hubCentral connection point
core · nucleus · heart · pivotal · crucial · centerpiece · mainstay · anchor · bedrock · pillar
springer
One that leaps
abutment · spandrel · pier · dome · cupola · arcade · aqueduct · bridge · ogive · catenary
species
Finest taxonomic rank
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- biodiversityRange of life forms
balance · habitat · conservation · extinction · trophic · wildlife · interdependence · apex · population · ecology
mortar
Grinding bowl or binder
- chiselEdged carving implement
- masonBuilder using brick, mortar
- stonemasonOne who shapes rock
granite · limestone · ashlar · quoin · rubble · coursing · jointing · pointing · dressing · trowel
- arches and vaultsarch, barrel vault, round arch, springer, springing
- Gothic ornamentsgargoyle, tracery, finial, crocket, quatrefoil
- rib vaultsogive, web, springer, boss
- building partsfacades, wall, door, windows, floor
- fundamentalsbasics, fundamentals, essentials, foundation, ABCs
- principlesprinciple, ethics, tenet, morals, axiom
keystoneornament
Thing that beautifies
decoration · filler · superfluity · embellishment · triviality
keystonespringer
One that leaps
impost · skewback · foundation stone · footing · cornerstone
keystoneperiphery
Boundary or outer region
footnote · side issue · minor detail · incidental · loose end
- Keystone CopsInept cinematic policemen
- keystone speciesOutsized ecological impact organism