figurative. A cardinal point; an important matter.

Extended figurative uses. A point, matter, principle, etc., upon which something depends. Frequently with hang. Cf. peg, n.1 4. Now rare.

A person who or thing which is central to a system, group, or organization; an essential or key element; a mainstay. Cf. sense A. 10b and key, adj.

The critical or crucial point of an argument, theory, etc.; a crux. Obsolete.

figurative. (Cf. pivot, n. 3a, axis, n.1 1b.)

The centre-pin or spindle upon which a wheel revolves, or which revolves along with it. figurative. (Cf. ‘pivot.’)

figurative. A crucial or central point or person on which something depends; a person who or thing which crucially affects the activity…

figurative. The central principle or element of a system, ideology, etc., on which all the rest depends; a vital or essential part of something. Cf…

figurative. The crucial or central point of something; that on which everything depends.

fig. A point at which a decisive change of any kind takes place; a critical point, crisis. (The usual sense.)

(In modern use.) An object which marks or is associated with some event or stage in a process; esp. a characteristic, a modification, etc., or an…

figurative. The ‘pivot’ on which any matter turns.

figurative. A person or thing vital to an enterprise; a key component or governing principle.