Dictionary

A town containing merchants who have exclusive right, under royal authority, to purchase or produce certain goods for export; also, the body of such merchants seen as a group.

(by extension) Place of supply; source.

The principal commodity produced in a town or region.

A basic or essential supply.

Example: Rice is a staple in the diet of many cultures.

To sort according to its staple.

Example: to staple cotton

Relating to, or being market of staple for, commodities.

Example: a staple town

Established in commerce; occupying the markets; settled.

Example: a staple trade

Fit to be sold; marketable.

Regularly produced or manufactured in large quantities; belonging to wholesale traffic; principal; chief.

A wire fastener used to secure stacks of paper by penetrating all the sheets and curling around.

A wire fastener used to secure something else by penetrating and curling.

Example: Can you believe they use staples to hold cars together these days?

A U-shaped metal fastener, used to attach fence wire or other material to posts or structures.

Example: The rancher used staples to attach the barbed wire to the fence-posts.

One of a set of U-shaped metal rods hammered into a structure, such as a piling or wharf, which serve as a ladder.

Example: Fortunately, there were staples in the quay wall, and she was able to climb out of the water.

To secure with a staple.