mainstay

Noun
Synonyms: pillaranchorkeystonebackbonelinchpinlynchpin

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a prominent supporter“he is a pillar of the community”Synonyms: pillar
  2. 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”Synonyms: anchorkeystonebackbonelinchpinlynchpin
  3. the forestay that braces the mainmast
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Mainstay \Main"stay`\, n.

1.(Naut.) The stay extending from the foot of the foremast to the maintop. [1913 Webster]

2.Main support; principal dependence. [1913 Webster]

The great mainstay of the Church.— Buckle.[1913 Webster]
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