linchpin Hear it!

linchpin definition

linch·pin (linc̸h′pin′)

noun

  1. a pin that goes through the end of an axle outside the wheel to keep the wheel from coming off
  2. anything serving to hold together the parts of a whole

Etymology: ME lynspin < lyns (< OE lynis, linchpin, akin to Ger lünse < IE base *(e)lei- to bend > ell, Sans āṇíh, linchpin) + pin, pin

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.