keystone

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a central cohesive source of support and stability
  2. noun the central building block at the top of an arch or vault

Etymology

From key + stone. Definition 4 (retail) possibly originated in the jewelry industry in the magazine called "Jewelers' Circular-Keystone".

In classic literature

Synonyms

anchor, mainstay, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin

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