cornerstone etymology

Etymology

The word "cornerstone" is derived from two words:

• "Corner": Late Latin cornarius, from Latin cornu "horn", referring to the angular point or projection of something.
• "Stone": Old English stān, referring to a hard, solid substance of mineral origin.

Meaning

A cornerstone has multiple meanings:

• Literal Meaning:

  • A large, heavy stone placed at the corner of a building to provide support and stability.

• Figurative Meaning:

  • A fundamental or essential element that serves as a foundation or basis for something.
  • A key or pivotal point upon which something depends.

Origin

The concept of a cornerstone as an architectural element dates back to ancient times. In many cultures, large stones were used to mark the foundations or corners of important structures.

In ancient Greece, the cornerstone of a temple was called the "akrogoniai lithos" ("topstone") and was often inscribed with the name of the deity to whom the temple was dedicated.

In later Christian traditions, the laying of a cornerstone became a symbolic ceremony marking the start of construction of a church or other religious building. The cornerstone often contained a time capsule with items that represented the current era and the hopes for the future.

cornerstone relate terms

• corner

  Etymology The word corner comes from the Old French word corn which in turn comes fr

• stone

  Etymology The word stone comes from the Old English word stān which is derived from

• base

  Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

• foundation

  Etymology Latin fundatio meaning foundation From the verb fundare meaning to

• department

  Etymology The word department comes from the Old French word département which in t

• explanation

  Etymology The word explanation is derived from the Latin word explanare which means

• assumption

  Etymology Latin assumere meaning to take up receive or undertake Derived from ad

• onset

  Etymology Latin onset noun onsetum adverb Origin ons start et adjec

• edifice

  Etymology The word edifice is derived from the Latin word aedificium which means bu

• building

  Etymology Derived from the Old English word byldan meaning to build construct

• supposition

  Etymology The word supposition comes from the Latin word supponere which means to p

• speech

  Etymology The word speech derives from the Old English word spræc or spræce whic