English Dictionary

staple

/ˈsteɪ.pəl/

noun

(now historical) 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.

Rice is a staple in many Asian countries.

意味（1）

(now historical) 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.

The customs of Alexandria were very great, it having been the staple of the Indian trade.

意味（2）

(by extension) Place of supply; source.

Whitehall naturally became the chief staple of news. Whenever there was a rumour that anything important had happened or was about to happen, people hastened thither to obtain intelligence from the fountain head.

意味（3）

The principal commodity produced in a town or region.

The old staple of coal is a declining traffic; and what remains tends to be hauled a shorter distance, as new power stations are sited closer to coalfields.

意味（4）

A basic or essential supply.

Rice is a staple in the diet of many cultures.

意味（5）

A recurring topic or character.

In most countries, rubbish makes headlines only when it is not collected, and stinking sacks lie heaped on the streets. In Britain bins are a front-page staple.

意味（6）

Short fiber, as of cotton, sheep’s wool, or the like, which can be spun into yarn or thread.

Tow is flax with short staple.

意味（7）

Unmanufactured material; raw material.