n. A post; a prop; a support.n. A loop of metal, or a bar or wire bent and formed with two points, to be driven into wood to hold a hook, pin, or bolt.n. In founding, a piece of nail-iron wiih a flat disk riveted to the head, and pointed below, used in a mold to hold a core in position.n. Of a lock, same as box, 13.n. In musical instruments of the oboe class, the metallic tube to which the reeds are fastened, and through which the tone is conveyed from them into the wooden body of the instrument.n. In coal-mining, a shallow shaft within a mine.To support, attach, or fix by means of a staple or staples.n. A settled mart or market; an emporium; a town where certain commodities are chiefly taken for sale.n. Hence A general market or exchange.n. A commercial monopoly formed by a combination of merchants acting under the sanction of the royal privilege of fairs and markets.n. The principal commodity grown or manufactured in a locality, either for exportation or home consumption—that is, originally, the merchandise which was sold at a staple or mart.n. The principal element of or ingredient in anything; the chief constituent; the chief item.n. The material or substance of anything; raw or unmanufactured material.n. The fiber of any material used for spinning, used in a general sense and as expressive of the character of the material: as, wool of short staple; cotton of long staple, etc.Pertaining to or being a mart or staple for commodities: as, a staple town.Mainly occupying commercial enterprise; established in commerce: as, a staple trade.According to the laws of commerce; marketable; fit to be sold.Chief: principal; regularly produced or made for market: as, staple commodities.To erect a staple; form a monopoly of production and sale; establish a mart for such purpose.To furnish or provide with a staple or staples.To sort or classify according to the length of the fiber: as, to staple wool.n. In bookbinding, a clenched wire used to bind together the sections of a book.n. In iron ship-building, an angle-bar bent and welded so as to form approximately a right angle in two places so that the bar has the outline of a flattened U. A box-staple is an angle-bar similarly bent and welded into an approximately rectangular outline.In iron ship-building, to make or fit (an angle-bar) in the form of a staple. See staple, n., 8.