keystone Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun a central cohesive source of support and stability
mainstay; backbone; linchpin; lynchpin; anchor.
- faith is his anchor
- the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money
- he is the linchpin of this firm
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noun the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
headstone; key.
WordNet
Key"stone` noun
Definitions
(Arch.) The central or topmost stone of an arch. This in some styles is made different in size from the other voussoirs, or projects, or is decorated with carving. See Illust. of Arch .