staple

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
  2. noun a natural fiber (raw cotton, wool, hemp, flax) that can be twisted to form yarn
  3. noun material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing

Etymology

From Middle English staple, from Anglo-Norman estaple, Old French estaple (“market, (trading) post”), from Late Latin stapula, from Frankish *stapul, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *stapulaz (“post”), from Proto-Indo-European *stebʰ- (“post, stem”). Compare staff. Doublet of étape and etymology 2.

In classic literature

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