basic

basic

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Pronunciation

Basic: /ˈbeɪ.sɪk/

• Bay - /beɪ/

• Sic - /sɪk/

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Word Form Variations

• Adjective: basic (singular, plural, non-comparative)

• Adverb: basically (derived from the adjective)

• Noun: basics (plural, refers to fundamental principles)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Adjective

1. Fundamental and essential; forming the foundation or starting point of something.

• Synonyms: fundamental, essential, primary, foundational, rudimentary, underlying

• Antonyms: advanced, complex, elaborate, supplementary, secondary

2. Simple and not elaborate; lacking luxury or frills.

• Synonyms: simple, plain, spartan, unadorned, no-frills, utilitarian

• Antonyms: luxurious, elaborate, ornate, fancy, sophisticated

3. Relating to the most necessary or important elements of a subject or skill, often implying a foundational understanding.

• Synonyms: introductory, elementary, foundational, preliminary, ABCs

• Antonyms: advanced, complex, specialized, intricate

Adverb

1. Fundamentally or essentially; in a basic way.

• Synonyms: essentially, fundamentally, primarily, inherently, at bottom

• Antonyms: superficially, incidentally, complexly, elaborately

Noun (typically used in the plural: "basics")

1. The fundamental principles, facts, or elements of a subject or skill.

• Synonyms: fundamentals, essentials, rudiments, ABCs, core, groundwork

• Antonyms: complexities, intricacies, advanced concepts, nuances

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He explained the basic principles of quantum mechanics in a way that even I could understand." (From A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, April 1988)

• "The novel explores the basic human need for connection and belonging." (From To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, July 1960)

• Newspapers:

• "The new budget proposal aims to address the basic needs of the population, such as healthcare and education." (The New York Times)

• "Analysts suggest that the company needs to go back to basics to regain market share after a challenging quarter." (The Wall Street Journal)

• Online Publications:

• "Here are 10 basic coding tips for beginners looking to start their programming journey." (TechCrunch)

• "The article discusses the basic rules of etiquette for online meetings." (Harvard Business Review Online)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "The plot of the movie was a basic good versus evil story, but the execution was superb." (Review of Dune: Part Two)

• Television: "Gordon Ramsay often scolds chefs for not mastering the basic cooking techniques." (From an episode of Hell's Kitchen, various seasons)

• Music: "Her new song has a really basic chord progression, but it's incredibly catchy." (Online music review, Pitchfork)

• Social Media: "Feeling basic today with my pumpkin spice latte and oversized sweater." (Popular Instagram caption)

• General Public Discourse:

• "The professor started with the basic concepts before moving on to more complex topics." (Heard in a university lecture hall, any academic year)

• "We just need to cover our basic expenses this month, nothing fancy." (Common conversation about finances)

• "You have to learn the basics before you can improvise." (Advice given by a music teacher)

• "That's just basic common sense, isn't it?" (Everyday expression of obviousness)

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10 Quotes Using Basic

1. "The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them." (Ralph Nichols)

2. "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. This is the basic principle of modern science." (Attributed to Albert Einstein)

3. "The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge, while an ordinary man takes everything as a blessing or a curse." (Carlos Castaneda)

4. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It is the basic tool for the tools of development." (Nelson Mandela)

5. "Love is the basic force that holds the world together. Love is the feeling that brings us together and keeps us together." (Muhammad Ali)

6. "The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control people." (Philip K. Dick)

7. "Freedom is the basic condition for a man to realize himself." (Goethe)

8. "Patience is the basic ingredient of genius." (Plato)

9. "The basic commitment of a Christian is not to believe in God, but to follow Jesus." (John Shelby Spong)

10. "Our basic health care system is not a right; it's a privilege." (Ben Carson)

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Etymology

The word "basic" comes from the word "base." Imagine the "base" of something as its absolute foundation, the very bottom, or the core part that everything else builds upon.

The word "base" itself has a long history, tracing back to the Latin word "basis" and even further to the Greek word "basis," which originally meant "a stepping, a step, that on which one steps or stands, a pedestal." Think of the base of a statue – it's what the entire statue rests upon.

So, when we add "-ic" to "base," we get "basic," which essentially means "relating to a base" or "forming a base."

The first known use of "basic" in English was around 1832, specifically in the field of chemistry. Here, it was used to describe something that related to a "base" in a chemical sense (like the opposite of an acid).

Over time, the meaning of "basic" broadened to refer to anything that is fundamental, essential, or forms the starting point of something, whether it's a concept, a skill, or even just a simple necessity.

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 Phrases + Idioms Containing Basic

• Back to basics: To return to fundamental principles or methods after a period of trying more complex or elaborate ones.

• Basic training: The initial period of instruction in the armed forces, teaching fundamental skills and discipline.

• Basic needs: The fundamental requirements for human survival and well-being, such as food, water, shelter, and clothing.

• Basic instinct: An innate, unlearned pattern of behavior.

• The basic gist: The fundamental or main point of something.

• Basic common sense: Practical good sense and sound judgment.

• Basic principle: A fundamental truth, law, or assumption from which others are derived.

Get down to basics: To focus on the most important, fundamental parts of something.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of basic from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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