elementary
//ˌɛlɪˈmɛntəɹi//
formalForms
- Comparative
- more elementary
- Superlative
- most elementary
- Plural
- elementaries
Definitions
1.Relating to the basic, essential or fundamental part of something.
2.Very simple.
3.Fundamental: serving as a building block for more complicated structures or processes.
- The physics of elementary particles in the 20th century was distinguished by the observation of particles whose existence had been predicted by theorists sometimes decades earlier.
4.Relating to an elementary school.
1.A supernatural being associated with the elements.
- The demon (or elementary) of the South-West wind was particularly dreaded, as being the gini of fever and madness.
2.Ellipsis of elementary school.(informal)
- At Lakeside Elementary I learned to appreciate the forest.
- He was my dentist. My mom took me to him back in elementary and junior high.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2939
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English elementare, from Latin elementārius (“elementary”), from elementum (“one of the four elements of antiquity; fundamentals”) + -ārius (adjective-forming suffix).
Cognate with French élémentaire.
By surface analysis, element + -ary.