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(), n.[AS. stapul, stapol, stapel, a step, a prop, post, table, fr. stapan to step, go, raise; akin to D. stapel a pile, stocks, emporium, G. stapela heap, mart, stake, staffel step of a ladder, Sw. stapel, Dan. stabel, and E. step cf. OF. estaple a mart, F. tape. See Step.] 1. A settled mart; an emporium; a city or town to which merchants brought commodities for sale or exportation in bulk; a place for wholesale traffic. The customs of Alexandria were very great, it having been the staple of the Indian trade. Arbuthnot. For the increase of trade and the encouragement of the worthy burgesses of Woodstock, her majesty was minded to erect the town into a staple for wool. Sir W. Scott. In England, formerly, the king's staple was established in certain ports or towns, and certain goods could not be exported without being first brought to these places to be rated and charged with the duty payable of the king or the public. The principal commodities on which customs were lived were wool Sta"ple a. 1. Pertaining to, or being market of staple for, commodities; as, a staple town. [R.] 2. Established in commerce; occupying the markets; settled; as, a staple trade. Dryden. 3. Fit to be sold; marketable. [R.] Swift. 4. Regularly produced or manufactured in large quantities; belonging to wholesale traffic; principal; chief. Wool, the great staple commodity of England. Hallam. Sta"ple v. t.[imp. & p. p.stapled (); p. pr. & vb. n.stapling.] To sort according to its staple; as, to staple cotton. スポンサード リンク
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