I. ˈstā-pəl noun
Etymology: Middle English stapel post, staple, from Old English stapol post; akin to Middle Dutch stapel step, heap, emporium, Old English steppan to step
Date: 13th century
: a usually U-shaped fastener: as
a. : a metal loop both ends of which are driven into a surface to hold the hook, hasp, or bolt of a lock, secure a rope, or fix a wire in place
b. : a small wire both ends of which are driven through layers of thin and easily penetrable material (as paper) and usually clinched to hold the layers together
c. : a usually metal surgical fastener used to hold layers of tissue together (as in the closure of an incision)
II. transitive verb
( sta·pled ; sta·pling -p(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 14th century
: to provide with or secure by staples
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estaple, from Middle Dutch stapel emporium
Date: 15th century
1. : a town used as a center for the sale or exportation of commodities in bulk
2. : a place of supply : source
3. : a chief commodity or production of a place
4.
a. : a commodity for which the demand is constant
b. : something having widespread and constant use or appeal
c. : the sustaining or principal element : substance
5. : raw material
6.
a. : textile fiber (as wool and rayon) of relatively short length that when spun and twisted forms a yarn rather than a filament
b. : the length of a piece of such textile fiber
IV. adjective
Date: 1615
1. : used, needed, or enjoyed constantly usually by many individuals
2. : produced regularly or in large quantities
staple crops such as wheat and rice
3. : principal , chief