corner ston

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Compound of corner + ston; a calque of Latin lapis angularis.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkɔrnər ˌstɔːn/, /kɔrˈneːr ˌstɔːn/

Noun

corner ston (plural corner-stonys)

  1. A cornerstone; a keystone.
    • c. 1395, John Wycliffe, John Purvey [et al.], transl., Bible (Wycliffite Bible (later version), MS Lich 10.), published c. 1410, Petre ·i· 2:6, page 111v, column 1; republished as Wycliffe's translation of the New Testament, Lichfield: Bill Endres, 2010:
      foꝛ which þing þe ſcripture ſeiþ / lo I ſchal ſette in ſyon þe hiȝeſt coꝛner ſtoo[n] [translating lapidem angularem] choſen ⁊ [pꝛe]ciouſe / ⁊ he þat ſchal bileue in hi[m] ſchal not be confou[n]dide
      Because Scripture says the following: "I'll lay the topmost cornerstone, chosen and precious, in Zion; anyone who believes in him will not be troubled."
  2. (figurative) A foundation on which something is built; an innovator.

Descendants

  • English: cornerstone, corner-stone, corner stone
  • Scots: cornerstane

References

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