touchstone etymology

Etymology:

Middle English: from Old French tucheston or touchstone, from Late Latin toccus or touch, + stone

Meaning:

• A dark-colored, flinty stone, primarily black or dark gray in color, used for testing the purity of gold and other metals.
• A criterion or standard by which something can be judged or evaluated.
• A person or thing that serves as a gauge or benchmark.

Origin:

The term "touchstone" has its origins in the use of a black or dark gray stone for testing the purity of gold and other metals. The stone was rubbed against the metal to create a streak, and the color of the streak indicated the purity of the metal.

• The term "toccus" is thought to be derived from the Latin word "tangere," which means "to touch."
• "Touchstone" was first used in English in the 14th century to refer to a stone used for testing metals.
• Over time, the term came to be used more generally to refer to any criterion or standard by which something can be evaluated.

touchstone relate terms

• basalt

  Etymology The word basalt is derived from the Latin word basaltes plural basaltae

• stone

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

• touch

  Etymology Middle English touchin from Old French toucher from Latin tangere meanin

• touched

  Etymology The word touched originates from the Middle English word touchen which is

• touching

  Etymology The English word touch originates from the Old English word toche which in

• standard

  Standard Etymology The word standard comes from the Old French word estandart meani

• measure

  Etymology Measure derives from Old French mesure which ultimately originated from th

• paragon

  Etymology New Latin from Greek parágōnos beside by along from para along besi

• norm

  Etymology Norm derives from the Old French word norme meaning rule or standard T

• morn

  Etymology The word morn derives from the Old English word morgen which has its origi

• scale

  Etymology of Scale Proto Indo European skel meaning to cut divide Proto Germani