1. (n.) 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. (n.) Any test or criterion by which the qualities of a thing are tried.
Thesaurus Entries
acid test, assay, barometer, benchmark, blank determination, brouillon, canon, check, criterion, crucial test, crucible, degree, demonstration, determination, docimasy, essay, feeling out, first draft, gauge, graduated scale, kiteflying, measure, model, norm, ordeal, parameter, pattern, probation, proof, quantity, reading, readout, reference, rough draft, rough sketch, rule, scale, sounding out, standard, test, test case, trial, try, type, value, verification, yardstick
