linchpin

n.

1. A locking pin inserted in the end of a shaft, as in an axle, to prevent a wheel from slipping off.
2. A central cohesive element: Reduced spending is the linchpin of their economic program.

[Middle English linspin : lins, linchpin (from Old English lynis) + pin, pin (from Old English pinn; see pin).]

[Ar]

A metal spike, sometimes enlarged or elaborated at one end, that is passed through a hole in the end of a fixed axle on a cart or chariot in order to stop the wheel falling off.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: a central cohesive source of support and stability
  Synonyms: anchor, mainstay, backbone, lynchpin

Meaning #2: pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on
  Synonym: lynchpin

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - lundstikke, støttepille, det der holder sammen på det hele

Nederlands (Dutch)
splitpen, spil, politiek centrale figuur

Français (French)
n. - (Tech) clavette, goupille, (fig) pilier de, base de

Deutsch (German)
n. - Lünse, Achsnagel

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - περόνη τροχού, παραξόνιο, γόμφος, (μτφ.) κεντρικός μοχλός

Italiano (Italian)
acciarino, perno

Português (Portuguese)
n. - contrapino (m) de roda (Autom.) (Mec.)

Русский (Russian)
чека колеса, человек, на котором все держится, основная мысль

Español (Spanish)
n. - chaveta, lo esencial, pezonera

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - axelsprint, hjulsprint, (bildl.) stöttepelare

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
制轮楔, 关键

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 制輪楔, 關鍵

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 바퀴를 굴대에 고정시키는 핀

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 輪止めくさび, かなめ

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) مسمار العجله أو الدولاب‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮פין חיזוק לגלגל, בורג מרכזי במערכת, חלק חשוב‬

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