cornerstone

pilier, pierre angulaire

Élément le plus important d'un ensemble, sur lequel repose tout le reste.

En anglais simple : The most important part of something, which the rest depends on.

• Trust is the cornerstone of friendship.
• Education became a cornerstone of their economic policy.
• These principles remain the cornerstones of our work.

Comment l'utiliser : cornerstone of something (Honesty is the cornerstone of a strong relationship.)

Synonymes : foundation, basis, bedrock

Expressions courantes : cornerstone of something, be a cornerstone, remain a cornerstone

pierre angulaire

Pierre située à un angle inférieur d'un bâtiment et faisant partie de sa base.

En anglais simple : A stone at the bottom corner of a building that helps form its base.

• The builders laid the cornerstone first.
• A crack appeared in the building's cornerstone.
• The old cornerstone supports two walls.

Synonymes : foundation stone

Expressions courantes : lay a cornerstone, building cornerstone, stone cornerstone

première pierre, pierre de fondation

Pierre posée lors d'une cérémonie de construction, portant souvent des noms et des dates.

En anglais simple : A stone placed at a building ceremony, often showing names and dates.

• The mayor laid the cornerstone.
• The cornerstone carries the names of the church's founders.
• We gathered for the new school's cornerstone ceremony.

Synonymes : foundation stone

Expressions courantes : lay the cornerstone, engraved cornerstone, cornerstone ceremony