Gad
it
Kids
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Kids
EN
mainstay
Definitions
1
noun
A
person
or
thing
on
which
something
else
is
based
or
depends
;
a
chief
support
.
The
local
library
is
a
mainstay
of
the
community
,
providing
resources
and
a
space
for
events
.
She
is
the
mainstay
of
the
team
,
always
reliable
and
supportive
.
The
mainstay
of
their
diet
is
rice
,
which
they
eat
with
almost
every
meal
.
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Word Origin
Language
English
Word parts
main (chief, principal) + stay (support)
Originally meant
a chief support or main support
Background
The term 'mainstay' originally referred to a strong rope on a ship that held the mainmast in place, ensuring the ship's stability. Over time, it came to be used metaphorically for anything that provides essential support.