linchpin

Alternative forms

 * ,, ,  (dial.),  (dial.)

Etymology
From, compound of and , from , from , from  – compare 🇨🇬 and 🇨🇬 – from. Possible further cognates are 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬 and 🇨🇬. Figurative use attested from the mid-20th century.

Noun

 * 1) A pin inserted through holes at the end of an axle or shaft, so as to secure a wheel or shaft-mounted device.
 * 2) * 1376–7, Compotus Roll Hyde Manor (In the manuscript deeds of Westminster Abbey)
 * In ij camellis ferri vocatis lynspins emptis pro carectis iiijd.
 * 1)  A central cohesive source of stability and security; a person or thing that is critical to a system or organisation.
 * 1)  A central cohesive source of stability and security; a person or thing that is critical to a system or organisation.
 * 1)  A central cohesive source of stability and security; a person or thing that is critical to a system or organisation.

Translations

 * Bulgarian:
 * Catalan:
 * Czech:
 * Danish: lundstikke, akselsplit
 * Dutch:
 * Esperanto: kejlo
 * Finnish:
 * French: ,
 * German: Achsnagel, Lünse
 * Irish: pionna rotha, dealg acastóra, tairne aisil, lispin
 * Kazakh: мұрындық
 * Kyrgyz: мурундук
 * Middle English: lynspin
 * Norwegian:, splint
 * Old English: lynis
 * Ottoman Turkish: كلید
 * Polish:
 * Portuguese:
 * Russian:
 * Scottish Gaelic: tarrag-aisil
 * Spanish:
 * Volapük:
 * Welsh: gwarbin


 * Danish: krumtap,, hovedhjørnesten, grundpille
 * Dutch: ,
 * Finnish: avainhenkilö ;
 * French: ,
 * German:
 * Portuguese:
 * Russian:
 * Swedish:, , grundpult

Verb

 * 1)  To adopt as, or serve as, a central cohesive source of stability and security.