staple
/ˈsteɪ.pəl/ noun C2- A wire fastener, made of thin wire, used to secure stacks of paper by penetrating all the sheets and curling around. · They stapled the documents with an office stapler, putting a staple in the top left corner of each one.
- A wire fastener, in any of various sizes, used to secure something else by penetrating and curling. · They stapled the housewrap with a staple gun firing large staples.
- A U-shaped wire fastener, made of thick wire, used to attach fence wire or other material to posts or structures. · The rancher used staples to attach the barbed wire to the fence posts.
- One of a set of U-shaped metal rods hammered into a structure, such as a piling or wharf, which serve as a ladder. · Fortunately, there were staples in the quay wall, and she was able to climb out of the water.
- A metal loop used to fasten doors in conjunction with a hasp and a padlock.
- A shaft, smaller and shorter than the principal one, joining different levels.
- A small pit.
- A district granted to an abbey.
Plural staples
From the library
In one of these a staple and chain with a quantity of gnawed bones showed where the animal had been confined.
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