keystone — the central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkiːstoʊn/
Example Sentences
- Without coffee, Monday morning would collapse faster than an arch without its keystone.
- Education is the keystone of personal development.
- The keystone species in this ecosystem keeps everything balanced.
keystone
NOUN[/ˈkiːstoʊn/]
the central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together
the central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together
From cornerstone to milestone, the keystone completes it all!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Originated in the 17th century from the combination of Old English 'key' (a device for opening locks) and 'stone' (a hard mineral material). The term emerged from architectural terminology, referring to the central wedge-shaped stone in an arch that functions as the crucial element holding the entire structure together, metaphorically likened to a key that unlocks or secures.
Breakdown
key (a locking or securing device) + stone (a hard mineral block) = the essential stone in an arch that, like a key, holds the entire structure in place.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Without coffee, Monday morning would collapse faster than an arch without its keystone.”
“Education is the keystone of personal development.”
“The keystone species in this ecosystem keeps everything balanced.”
“My grandmother's secret recipe is the keystone of our family restaurant's success.”
📚Related Words
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