I. ˈbās]ik, ]ēk sometimes -āz]\ adjective
Etymology: base (I) + -ic
1. : of, relating to, or forming the base or essence : fundamental , essential , irreducible
a basic fact
a basic argument
basic truths
2. : constituting or serving as the basis or starting point
a basic house
3.
a. : of, relating to, or characteristic of a base
basic groups
basic nitrogen
— compare alkaline
b. : having an alkaline reaction
basic compounds
a basic catalyst
c. of salts : derived by partial neutralization
basic lead carbonate
basic bismuth chloride
d. : containing or involving the use of alkaline material
a furnace with a basic lining
— see basic process
e. : base-forming
lime is a basic oxide
4. of rocks : containing relatively little silica : subsilicic — opposed to acid
5. : relating to or made by a basic process
basic steel
basic rails
6. of language : having a vocabulary that consists of a very small number of words but that can be used to convey a wide range of ideas or information
basic French
7. : assigned for general duties within a military organization
a basic private
8. : prescribed and nominal — used of standards (as of size) that are the basis for the calculation of allowances and tolerances
II. noun
( -s )
1. : something that is basic : fundamental — usually used in plural
the basics of honesty
the basics of sewing
2. : basic training
took his basic at Keesler Field