Word of the Day

: April 23, 2007

fulcrum

noun FULL-krum

What It Means

1 a : prop; specifically : the support about which a lever turns

b : one that supplies capability for action

2 : a part of an animal that serves as a hinge or support

fulcrum in Context

The development of a revolutionary microprocessor became the fulcrum of the company's success as an information technology giant.

Did You Know?

"Fulcrum," a word that means "bedpost" in Latin, derives from the verb "fulcire," which means "to prop." When the word first appeared in English in the middle of the 17th century, "fulcrum" referred to the point on which a lever or similar device (such as the oar of a boat) is supported. It did not take long for the word to develop a figurative sense, referring to something used as a spur or justification to support a certain action. In zoology, "fulcrum" can also refer to a part of an animal that serves as a hinge or support, such as the joint supporting a bird's wing.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.