lynchpin

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lynch·pin

(lĭnch′pĭn′)

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

lynchpin

(ˈlɪntʃˌpɪn)

a variant spelling of linchpin

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

linch•pin

(ˈlɪntʃˌpɪn)

n.

1. a pin inserted through the end of an axletree to keep the wheel on.

2. something that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together.

[1350–1400; alter. of Middle English lynspin <lyns, Old English lynis linchpin (c. Old Saxon lunisa, Middle High German luns(e))]

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Noun	1.	lynchpin - a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm" backbone, keystone, linchpin, mainstay, anchor support - something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest; "the policy found little public support"; "his faith was all the support he needed"; "the team enjoyed the support of their fans"
	2.	lynchpin - pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on linchpin pin - a small slender (often pointed) piece of wood or metal used to support or fasten or attach things

lynchpin

linchpin

noun driving force, director, chief, principal, co-ordinator, cornerstone, mainstay He's the lynchpin of our team.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

sikring splint

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References in periodicals archive ?

LAHORE -- Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Tuesday that justice was the lynchpin of modern-day states adding that only those nations achieve pinnacle of glory and respect that ensure justice in every matter.

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The FBI followed every step of Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis's plan to "destroy America" by blowing up the lynchpin of the US financial system.

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A SOLDIER who died in hospital two months after being wounded in an explosion in Afghanistan was last night described as a lynchpin of his unit.

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Morgan's range of shot and notable power, for a man with an apparently light frame, has made him a lynchpin for England in 50-over and Twenty20 cricket.

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SOUTH AFRICA: Scrum-half Fourie du Preez has singled out his opposite number Agustin Pichot as the Pumas lynchpin.

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The Portuguese playmaker was the lynchpin of Mourinho's all-conquering Porto side before moving to the Nou Camp, where after a scintillating start to career in Spain he appears to have fallen out of favour.