standard, criterion, measure, touchstone
(noun) a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; “the schools comply with federal standards”; “they set the measure for all subsequent work”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
touchstone (plural touchstones)
A stone used to check the quality of gold alloys by rubbing them to leave a visible trace.
(figurative, by extension) A standard of comparison or evaluation.
• touch-tones, touchtones
Touchstone (plural Touchstones)
A surname.
• According to the 2010 United States Census, Touchstone is the 15391st most common surname in the United States, belonging to 1905 individuals. Touchstone is most common among White (86.51%) individuals.
• touch-tones, touchtones
Source: Wiktionary
Touch"stone`, n.
1. (Min.)
Definition: Lydian stone; basanite; -- so called because used to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak which is left upon the stone when it is rubbed by the metal. See Basanite.
2. Fig.:
Definition: Any test or criterion by which the qualities of a thing are tried. Hooker. The foregoing doctrine affords us also a touchstone for the trial of spirits. South. Irish touchstone (Min.), basalt, the stone which composes the Giant's Causeway.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
29 June 2025
(adjective) deserving of the highest esteem or admiration; “an estimable young professor”; “trains ran with admirable precision”; “his taste was impeccable, his health admirable”
Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain Coffea species. When coffee berries turn from green to bright red – indicating ripeness – they are picked, processed, and dried. Dried coffee seeds are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor.
