Instance and Touchstone

instance

An occurrence of something.
- usage: "it was a case of bad judgment"; "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always the famous example of the Smiths"
- synonyms: case, example
An item of information that is typical of a class or group.
- usage: "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10"
- synonyms: example, illustration, representative

(n.) That which is instant or urgent; motive.
(n.) That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example.
(n.) Occasion; order of occurrence.
(n.) The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion.
(v.t.) To mention as a case or example; to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact.
(n.) A token; a sign; a symptom or indication.
(v.i.) To give an example.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

touchstone

A basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated.
- usage: "the schools comply with federal standards"; "they set the measure for all subsequent work"
- synonyms: standard, criterion, measure

(n.) Any test or criterion by which the qualities of a thing are tried.
(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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Touchstone is a masculine given name