adj.1 a dealing with or arising from the simplest facts of a subject; rudimentary, introductory. b simple.
2 Chem. not decomposable.
Phrases and idioms:
elementary particle Physics any of several subatomic particles supposedly not decomposable into simpler ones. elementary school a school in which elementary subjects are taught to young children.
Derivatives:
elementarily adv. elementariness n.
Etymology: ME f. L elementarius (as ELEMENT)