Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Rosetta Stone

Noun
/rəʊˈzɛtə stoʊn/
Definition
A stone slab inscribed with a decree in three scripts, which provided the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Examples
  • The Rosetta Stone was crucial in the deciphering of ancient Egyptian scripts.
  • Many consider bilingual dictionaries to be their Rosetta Stone when learning a new language.
  • The software served as a Rosetta Stone for those seeking to master programming languages.
Meaning
The term ‘Rosetta Stone’ is often used metaphorically to refer to something that is the key to understanding or deciphering complex information.
Synonyms
  • Key
  • Decipherer
  • Interpretation tool
  • Codebreaker