fulcrum
fulcrum — noun
- fulcrumsingular
- fulcrumsplural
1. the spot on a lever or bar where it rests against a support and turns when force
the spot on a lever or bar where it rests against a support and turns when force is applied to one end
Luca placed a small stone under the board as a fulcrum to lift the crate.
use something as a fulcrum to lift
The seesaw needs a strong metal fulcrum at its centre to work properly.
By moving the fulcrum closer to the load, Otis could lift a much heavier weight.
Quan used a pencil as a fulcrum to pry the lid off the paint tin.
Without a solid fulcrum the crowbar slipped and Justin could not move the boulder.
用法筆記
Common in physics and engineering contexts. The plural can be either fulcrums or fulcra (from Latin).
常見錯誤
2. a person or thing around which a system, activity, or organisation centres, prov
a person or thing around which a system, activity, or organisation centres, providing the essential support that makes everything else possible
Baraka became the fulcrum of the sales team after the manager moved to another city.
become the fulcrum of [team/group]
Reliable public transport serves as the fulcrum of daily life in any large city.
serve as the fulcrum of [system]
The founder was the emotional fulcrum of the company at a time of great change.
Hoa is the fulcrum of her friend group, always resolving arguments and arranging meetups.
Small family farms remain the fulcrum of rural communities throughout the region.
- linchpin
more informal and vivid; suggests the single thing that holds everything together
- cornerstone
suggests the fundamental base on which something is built
- backbone
suggests the main source of strength and stability
- pillar
emphasises being one of several important supporting elements
用法筆記
Used figuratively in business, politics, and social contexts. Often follows the pattern 'the fulcrum of [something]'.