Staple

English Meaning

A settled mart; an emporium; a city or town to which merchants brought commodities for sale or exportation in bulk; a place for wholesale traffic.

1. A principal raw material or commodity grown or produced in a region.
2. A major item of trade in steady demand.
3. A basic dietary item, such as flour, rice, or corn.
4. A basic or principal element or feature.
5. The fiber of cotton, wool, or flax, graded as to length and fineness.
6. Produced or stocked in large quantities to meet steady demand: Wheat is a staple crop.
7. Principal; main: a staple topic of conversation.
8. To grade (fibers) according to length and fineness.
9. A thin piece of wire in the shape of a square bracket that is driven by a device through sheets of paper or similar material and flattened to serve as a fastening.
10. A U-shaped metal loop with pointed ends, driven into a surface to hold a bolt, hook, or hasp or to hold wiring in place.
11. To secure or fasten by means of a staple or staples.