Fundamental

//ˌfʌndəˈmɛntəl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Related to a foundation, base, or basis; serving as a foundation.
  2. 2
    Essential; extremely important.

    "a fundamental truth; a fundamental axiom; a fundamental element; fundamental principle; fundamental law"

Adjective
  1. 1
    serving as an essential component wordnet
  2. 2
    being or involving basic facts or principles wordnet
  3. 3
    far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A basic truth, elementary concept, principle, rule, or law. An individual fundamental will often serve as a building block used to form a complex idea. singular
  2. 2
    the lowest tone of a harmonic series wordnet
  3. 3
    A collection of essential component ideas that are often grouped together to serve as the foundational basis of a complex idea. plural

    "one of the fundamentals of linear algebra"

  4. 4
    any factor that could be considered important to the understanding of a particular business wordnet
  5. 5
    The lowest frequency of a periodic waveform.
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    The lowest partial of a complex tone.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Late Latin fundamentālis, from Latin fundamentum (“foundation”), from fundō (“to lay the foundation (of something), to found”), from fundus (“bottom”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰudʰmḗn.

Etymology 2

From Late Latin fundamentālis, from Latin fundamentum (“foundation”), from fundō (“to lay the foundation (of something), to found”), from fundus (“bottom”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰudʰmḗn.

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