Pertaining to the base; situated at or forming a base; fundamental.
(Homonym: basil).
1. Of primary importance; SYN. basic, primary.
2. Serving as or forming a base; SYN. base.
1. (Chemistry) Of or denoting or of the nature of or containing a base.
2. Pertaining to or constituting a base or basis.
3. Reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality; SYN. canonic, canonical.
4. Serving as a base or starting point; SYN. introductory.
ETYM Cf. French fondamental.
1. Being or involving basic facts or principles; SYN. rudimentary, underlying.
2. Far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something; SYN. profound.
ETYM French, from Latin vitalis, from vita life; akin to vivere to live. Related to Vivid.
1. Existing as a manifestation of life.
2. Having or characterized by life.
3. Performing an essential function in the living body; SYN. life-sustaining.
4. Relating to the chief data about lives.
At bottom or by one's (or its) very nature; SYN. fundamentally, essentially, in essence, au fond.