/ ˈfʊlkrəm; NAmE ; ˈfʌlk-/ noun ( pl. ful·crums or ful·cra / ˈfʊlkrə; NAmE ; ˈfʌlk-/)
1.
( physics ) the point on which a lever turns or is supported
2.
[ usually sing. ] the most important part of an activity or a situation
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent. (originally in the general sense a prop or support ): from Latin , literally post of a couch , from fulcire to prop up.