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staple
This term describes a foundational element that provides stability or sustenance. When referring to food, it suggests a reliable, bulk source of calories that supports a population, carrying a connotation of necessity and consistency rather than luxury. In a structural or organizational sense, it refers to the primary component that holds a system together. The physical act of stapling implies a permanent or semi-permanent mechanical bond, contrasting with the temporary nature of a paperclip.
Meanings
A basic food item or product that is eaten routinely and in such quantities that it forms a dominant portion of a standard diet of a given people.
"Rice is the staple of many Asian diets."
A small, U-shaped piece of metal wire used to fasten papers together or to attach materials to a surface.
"I need a box of staples for the office stapler."