cornerstone

Compared meaning: the base something is built or grounded on (noun).

比较义项：作为某事物赖以建立或依据的基础（名词）。

• foundation

  The underlying base or support something is built on, literal (a building) or abstract; neutral register, often paired with verbs like 'lay' or 'build'.

  指某事物（建筑物等具体事物或抽象事物）赖以建立的根基或支撑；语域中性，常与动词“lay”（打）、“build”（建造）搭配使用，如 lay a foundation。

  Workers poured concrete to build the house's foundation.

  工人们浇筑混凝土来建造房屋的 foundation。

• basis

  The reason, principle, or method something is grounded on or organized around; abstract, often used in fixed phrases about frequency or method, e.g. 'on a weekly basis'.

  指某事物所依据的理由、原则或方式；用于抽象层面，常用于固定短语表示频率或方式，例如 on a weekly basis（每周一次）。

  We meet on a weekly basis to discuss our progress.

  我们以每周的 basis 见面，讨论我们的进展。

• cornerstone 本词

  A single element considered the most essential or foundational part of a larger abstract system; formal and emphatic, never used for physical building material or frequency phrases.

  指被视为整个（抽象）体系中最核心、不可或缺的单一要素；语气正式且强调重要性，不用于具体建筑材料或表示频率的短语。

  Trust is the cornerstone of any strong friendship.

  信任是任何牢固友谊的 cornerstone。

Foundation, basis, and cornerstone can all mean the base something rests on. Foundation stresses the support something is built on, often paired with 'lay'. Basis stresses the reason or method, as in 'on a weekly basis'. Cornerstone stresses the most essential part of a system.

foundation、basis 和 cornerstone 都可表示事物赖以存在的“基础”，但侧重不同：foundation 强调支撑事物的根基，basis 强调理由、依据或运作方式，cornerstone 强调对整体最关键、不可或缺的核心要素，语气更正式。本卡片不比较 foundation 表示“基金会”（an organization that provides money for a purpose）的义项。