guidepost

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

guidepost
    n 1: a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate
         behavior [syn: {guidepost}, {guideline}, {rule of thumb}]
    2: a post bearing a sign that gives directions or shows the way
       [syn: {signpost}, {guidepost}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Guidepost \Guide"post`\, n.
   A post at the fork of a road, with a guideboard on it, to
   direct travelers.
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

21 Moby Thesaurus words for "guidepost":
      arrow, blaze, compass needle, direction, direction post,
      finger post, fist, guide, guideboard, hand, hour hand, index,
      index finger, lead, lubber line, milepost, minute hand, needle,
      pointer, signboard, signpost

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