Definition of "foundation-stone" [foundation-stone]

• One of the stones of which the foundation of a building is composed; specifically, a corner-stone. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "And the foundation-stone of service, in his case, was obedience."
• "The stranger who will nonetheless stop and help a wounded man even as that man's pious brethren pass him by, simply because we consider empathy to all a foundation-stone of ethics."
• "However the most controversial aspect from an Irish point of view is the likelihood that the treaty will be used to advance the concept of a 'European army', which would violate the principle of neutrality which has been a foundation-stone of the State."