/bred"n but"euhr/ , adj.
1. providing a livelihood or basic source of income; supplying the basic needs of life: a bread-and-butter job; the agency's bread-and-butter account.
2. of or pertaining to basic needs: housing and other bread-and-butter political issues.
3. basic or everyday; staple; routine.
4. expressing thanks for hospitality: a bread-and-butter letter.
[ 1720-30; adj. use of n. phrase bread and butter ]