staple?

[jctgf]

"Human trafficking is a key staple of 21st-century organized crime groups, along with narcotics and weapons, Glenny said."

hi,

please, does "staple" mean "main thing" in this sentence?

thanks.

 

[susiedqq]

yes; or use component.

 

[jctgf]

yes; or use component.

thanks,
what does "use component" mean, please? do you mean an "ingredient"?
thanks again.

 

[susiedqq]

one part of the whole is a component

 

[rj1948]

staple=main component(FOOD,SOURCE OF INCOME)

 

[RonBee]

"Human trafficking is a key staple of 21st-century organized crime groups, along with narcotics and weapons, Glenny said."

hi,

please, does "staple" mean "main thing" in this sentence?

Pretty close (as noted by other posters). It's the main thing that's used or the most important thing that's done or that's used. For example, if we say that rice is the staple food in a certain area we mean that it's the main food that is eaten in that area. In this case, human trafficking is one of the most important activities of organized crime groups.

~R

 

[jctgf]

thanks a lot.
if a store is named "'STAPLE" what's the idea it wants to convey?
the store itself is the main one (the most necessary for the public, etc) in the area? the store sells staples to be used in the office? the store sells essential goods? all of them?
thanks.

 

[RonBee]

It sells what you need.