Webster's English Dictionary

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staple

1. sta.ple \'sta--p*l\ n [ME stapel post, staple, fr. OE stapol post; akin 
   to MD stapelX step, heap, emporium, OE steppan to step 1: a U-shaped metal 
   loop both ends of which are driven into a surface to ho ld the hook, hasp, 
   or bolt of a lock, secure a rope, or fix a wire in place 2: a small 
   U-shaped wire both ends of which are driven through layers of th in and 
   easily penetrable material (as paper) and usu. clinched to hold the layers 
   together
2. staple \-p(*-)lin\ vt or sta.pling : to provide with or secure by 
   staples 
3. staple n [ME, fr. MD stapel emporium] 1: a town used as a center for the 
   sale or exportation of commodities in bu lk 2: a place of supply : SOURCE  
   3: a chief commodity or production of a place  4a: a commodity for which 
   the demand is constant  4b: something having widespread and constant use or 
   appeal  4c: the sustaining or principal element : SUBSTANCE  5: RAW 
   MATERIAL  6a: textile fiber (as wool or rayon) of relatively short length 
   that when s pun and twisted forms a yarn rather than a filament 6b: the 
   length of a piece of such textile fiber 
4. staple aj 1: used, needed, or enjoyed constantly usu. by many 
   individuals  2: produced regularly or in large quantities  3: PRINCIPAL, 
   CHIEF {~ crop}