Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Touchstone \Touch"stone`\, n.
   1. (Min.) Lydian stone; basanite; -- so called because used
      to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak which
      is left upon the stone when it is rubbed by the metal. See
      {Basanite}.

   2. Fig.: Any test or criterion by which the qualities of a
      thing are tried. --Hooker.

            The foregoing doctrine affords us also a touchstone
            for the trial of spirits.             --South.

   {Irish touchstone} (Min.), basalt, the stone which composes
      the Giant's Causeway.

Source : WordNet®

touchstone
     n : a basis for comparison; a reference point against which
         other things can be evaluated; "they set the measure for
         all subsequent work" [syn: {standard}, {criterion}, {measure}]