FUNDAMENTAL


Meaning of FUNDAMENTAL in English

I. ˌfən-də-ˈmen-t ə l adjective

Date: 15th century

1.

a. : serving as an original or generating source : primary

a discovery fundamental to modern computers

b. : serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function : basic

2.

a. : of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts : radical

fundamental change

also : of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application

fundamental science

b. : adhering to fundamentalism

3. : of, relating to, or produced by the lowest component of a complex vibration

4. : of central importance : principal

fundamental purpose

5. : belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics : deep-rooted

her fundamental good humor

Synonyms: see essential

• fun·da·men·tal·ly -t ə l-ē adverb

II. noun

Date: 1637

1. : something fundamental ; especially : one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is

2.

a. : the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics is based

b. : the root of a chord

3. : the harmonic component of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly the greatest amplitude

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.