n. & v.
—n. a U-shaped metal bar or piece of wire with pointed ends for driving into, securing, or fastening together various materials or for driving through and clenching papers, netting, electric wire, etc.
—v.tr. provide or fasten with a staple.
Phrases and idioms:
staple gun a hand-held device for driving in staples.
Derivatives:
stapler n.
Etymology: OE stapol f. Gmc
2.
n., adj., & v.
—n.
1 the principal or an important article of commerce (the staples of British Industry).
2 the chief element or a main component, e.g. of a diet.
3 a raw material.
4 the fibre of cotton or wool etc. as determining its quality (cotton of fine staple).
—adj.
1 main or principal (staple commodities).
2 important as a product or an export.
—v.tr. sort or classify (wool etc.) according to fibre.
Etymology: ME f. OF estaple market f. MLG, MDu. stapel market (as STAPLE(1))
Useful english dictionary. 2012.