STAPLE

n., adj., & v. --n. 1 the principal or an important article of commerce (the staples of British Industry). 2 the chief element or a main component, e.g. of a diet. 3 a raw material. 4 the fibre of cotton or wool etc. as determining its quality (cotton of fine staple). --adj. 1 main or principal (staple commodities). 2 important as a product or an export. --v.tr. sort or classify (wool etc.) according to fibre. [ME f. OF estaple market f. MLG, MDu. stapel market (as STAPLE(1))]