STAPLE


Meaning of STAPLE in English

1. n. & v.

--n. a U-shaped metal bar or piece of wire with pointed ends for driving into, securing, or fastening together various materials or for driving through and clenching papers, netting, electric wire, etc.

--v.tr. provide or fasten with a staple.

Phrases and idioms:

staple gun a hand-held device for driving in staples.

Derivatives:

stapler n.

Etymology: OE stapol f. Gmc 2. 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.

Etymology: ME f. OF estaple market f. MLG, MDu. stapel market (as STAPLE(1))

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.