mainstay

Meanings

• noun

  A thing that is essential, stable, or permanent; a main source of support.

  - "The old tree was a mainstay of the community."
  - "His family was a mainstay of his life."
  - "The economy relied heavily on agriculture as a mainstay."

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with mainstay
stay , weigh , pray , decay , play , may

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Variants

List of all variants of mainstay that leads to same result
mainstay , mainstays

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meant 'mast of a ship', from Old French mast, from Latin mastus. The figurative meaning 'source of support' is first recorded in the late 15th century.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'mainstay' is often used in the shipping industry to refer to the mast of a ship.

2. The word 'mainstay' has been in use since the late 15th century.

3. Mainstay is a homophone of the word 'stay', which means to remain in one place or to continue doing something.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. pillar: A pillar is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to the ground or other structural elements below. It is similar to a mainstay in the sense that it provides support.

2. foundation: A foundation is the base upon which a structure is built. It is the mainstay of the structure, providing support and stability.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Mainstay has been used extensively in literature and art to represent stability, reliability, and support. In music, the term 'mainstay' is used to describe a popular or enduring song or artist.

How to Memorize "mainstay"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a large tree that provides shade and support to the surrounding area. This tree is the mainstay of the ecosystem.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'mainstay' with the idea of stability and support. Think of a strong foundation or a sturdy pillar.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'My Ancient Tree Stays' to remember the definition of mainstay. M for 'meaning' (A thing that is essential), A for 'always' (Stays the same), T for 'there' (Provides support), S for 'strong' (Stays strong), and Y for 'you' (Provides support for you).

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