| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | test, gauge for judgment |
| Synonyms: | archetype, basis, benchmark, canon, example, exemplar, fact, foundation, law, measure, model, norm, opinion, original, paradigm, pattern, point of comparison, precedent, principle, proof, prototype, rule, scale, standard, touchstone, yardstick |
| Antonyms: | change, conjecture, fancy, guess, possibility, probability |
| Main Entry: | canon |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | rule, edict |
| Synonyms: | assize, catalogue, command, commandment, criterion, declaration, decree, decretum, dictate, doctrine, dogma, formula, law, list, maxim, order, ordinance, precept, principle, regulation, roll, screed, standard, statute, table, tenet, touchstone, yardstick |
| Notes: | a cannon is a large mounted artillery gun or a large artillery gun that is on wheels that fires heavy projectiles while a canon is an ecclesiastical law or code of laws established by a church council or a priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter |
| Main Entry: | exemplar |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | ideal |
| Synonyms: | archetype, copy, criterion, epitome, example, exemplification, illustration, instance, mirror, model, paradigm, paragon, pattern, prototype, specimen, standard, type |
| Main Entry: | gauge |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | measure, standard |
| Synonyms: | barometer, basis, benchmark, bore, capacity, check, criterion, degree, depth, example, exemplar, extent, guide, guideline, height, indicator, magnitude, mark, meter, model, norm, pattern, rule, sample, scale, scope, size, span, test, thickness, touchstone, type, width, yardstick |
| Antonyms: | estimate, guess |
| Main Entry: | guide |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | something that or someone who leads |
| Synonyms: | adviser, attendant, captain, chaperon, cicerone, conductor, controller, convoy, counselor, criterion, design, director, docent, escort, example, exemplar, exhibitor, genie, genius, guiding spirit, guru, ideal, inspiration, lead, leader, lodestar, mentor, model, monitor, paradigm, pathfinder, pattern, pilot, pioneer, rudder, scout, standard, superintendent, teacher, usher, vanguard |
| Main Entry: | ideal |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | model |
| Synonyms: | archetype, criterion, epitome, example, exemplar, goal, idol, jewel, last word, mirror, nonesuch, nonpareil, paradigm, paragon, pattern, perfection, prototype, standard |
| Notes: | ideal means conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; idealistic means of or pertaining to idealists or their theories, pursuing perfection |
| Antonyms: | error, flaw, imperfection, problem, wrong |
| Main Entry: | keynote/keystone |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | essence, theme |
| Synonyms: | basic idea, basis, center, core, cornerstone, criterion, crux, gist, heart, idea, kernel, linchpin, mainspring, marrow, measure, motive, nub, pith, principle, root, source, spring, standard, substance |
| Main Entry: | law |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | standard, principle of behavior |
| Synonyms: | assumption, axiom, base, canon, cause, criterion, exigency, formula, foundation, fundamental, generalization, ground, guide, maxim, origin, postulate, precept, principium, proposal, proposition, reason, regulation, rule, source, theorem, truth, usage |
| Antonyms: | transgression, violation |
| Main Entry: | measure |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | standard, rule |
| Synonyms: | benchmark*, canon, criterion, example, gauge, meter, method, model, norm, pattern, scale, system, test, touchstone, trial, type, yardstick |