elementary

elementary

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Pronunciation

elementary

/ˌɛlɪˈmɛntəri/

• el- /ɛl/

• e- /ɪ/

• men- /mɛn/

• ta- /tə/

• ry /ri/

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Word Form Variations

The term "elementary" primarily functions as an adjective. Therefore, it does not have singular/plural forms in the way nouns do, nor does it have verb conjugations.

However, it can form an adverb:

• Adverb: elementarily

And it is the root of the following noun:

• Noun: element (the basic components from which "elementary" is derived)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Adjective

1. Referring to the foundational or initial stage of a subject or skill; basic and fundamental.

• Synonyms: fundamental, basic, primary, foundational, rudimentary, introductory, simplistic

• Antonyms: advanced, complex, sophisticated, intricate, comprehensive, elaborate

2. Pertaining to the natural or inherent properties of something; uncompounded or indivisible.

• Synonyms: fundamental, basic, primary, essential, ultimate, atomic, simple

• Antonyms: complex, composite, compounded, derived

3. Relating to or suitable for children in the early grades of school, especially those learning foundational skills.

• Synonyms: primary, foundational, basic, preparatory

• Antonyms: secondary, advanced, collegiate

Adverb

1. In a basic, simple, or fundamental manner.

• Synonyms: basically, fundamentally, simply, primarily, rudimentarily

• Antonyms: complexly, intricately, comprehensively, elaborately

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He then proceeded to lay out the elementary principles of quantum mechanics, a topic that most of the class found incredibly challenging." (From a science textbook or non-fiction work)

• "Sherlock Holmes, with his elementary logic, deduced the killer's identity from a single stray hair." (From Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, specifically referencing his famous phrase "Elementary, my dear Watson," though the exact phrase isn't used here, the concept of his "elementary" deduction is common)

• Newspapers:

• "The city council approved funding for a new elementary school to alleviate overcrowding in the growing suburbs." (Local newspaper article)

• "Experts agree that addressing climate change requires more than elementary solutions; a comprehensive global effort is necessary." (Opinion piece in a national newspaper)

• Online Publications:

• "This beginner's guide covers the elementary steps to setting up your first website, assuming no prior coding knowledge." (Tech blog or tutorial website)

• "A recent study highlighted the elementary need for better mental health resources in rural communities." (Online news magazine or research publication)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Television Series: "In the CBS show Elementary, Sherlock Holmes is a recovering addict solving crimes in modern-day New York City." (Promotional material or show description for the series Elementary)

• Film: "The plot of the new action movie was rather elementary, relying on predictable tropes and simple character arcs." (Film review on a movie website like Rotten Tomatoes)

• Video Games: "Players must master the elementary combat mechanics before attempting the more challenging boss battles." (Video game review or in-game tutorial description)

• Podcasts: "Our guest today will break down the elementary components of successful entrepreneurship for aspiring business owners." (Description for a business or self-help podcast episode)

• General Public Discourse:

• "Look, it's elementary, if you don't save money, you won't have any for retirement." (Casual conversation between friends)

• "That's an elementary mistake; you should have double-checked your calculations." (Teacher to a student, or colleague to a coworker)

• "The children are learning elementary arithmetic this year, focusing on addition and subtraction." (Parent discussing their child's education)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Elementary

1. "Elementary, my dear Watson." (Sherlock Holmes, a popularized phrase from Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, though not an exact direct quote)

2. "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. The insight into the mystery of life, coupled though it be with fear, has also given rise to religion. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms—this knowledge, this feeling, is the center of true religiosity." (Albert Einstein, from The World As I See It, 1949 – using "primitive forms" to denote something basic or elementary)

3. "For in the structure of the atom there is a nucleus, which is the seat of almost the entire mass of the atom and carries a positive electric charge, and electrons revolving round the nucleus, which carry negative charges and whose total charge is equal to the positive charge of the nucleus. The forces between the electrons and the nucleus are electrostatic, and the motion of the electrons is governed by the elementary laws of mechanics and electromagnetism." (Niels Bohr, from his Nobel Lecture, 1922)

4. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." (William Butler Yeats – while not using "elementary," this quote speaks to the foundational nature of learning beyond just basic facts, which aligns with the spirit of elementary education)

5. "I never allow myself to be disheartened by any difficulty, however elementary it may seem to others." (Booker T. Washington, from Up From Slavery, 1901)

6. "Science is built up of facts, as a house is built of stones; but a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house." (Jules Henri Poincaré, from Science and Hypothesis, 1905 – highlighting that fundamental elements alone are not enough)

7. "Before you can create, you must understand the elementary principles." (Lesser-known quote attributed to various sources, common in educational contexts)

8. "An elementary mistake in judgment can lead to catastrophic consequences." (Common saying, often found in business or risk management literature)

9. "The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics." (Thomas Sowell – while not using "elementary," "first lesson" implies a foundational or elementary principle)

10. "The elementary act of caring for a child is to assume the responsibility of her existence, to anticipate her needs, and to nourish her growth." (Original quote)

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Etymology

The word "elementary" has a fascinating journey through time! It comes from the Latin word "elementārius," which itself comes from "elementum."

Initially, in the late 14th century, when "elementary" first appeared in English, its meaning was quite literal: "having the nature of one of the four elements." In ancient times, people believed that everything in the world was made up of four basic "elements": earth, air, fire, and water. So, if something was "elementary," it was thought to be made of or related to these fundamental building blocks of nature.

However, the meaning started to shift and broaden. By the 1540s, "elementary" began to be used to mean "rudimentary" or "involving first principles." This is where we see the connection to things that are basic or foundational, like the very first ideas or rules of a subject.

By the 1620s, the meaning further simplified to "simple."

So, you can see how it evolved from referring to the most basic components of the physical world to the most basic parts of any subject or concept, and eventually to just meaning "simple" or "easy." When we talk about "elementary school" (a term that became common in the 19th century, around 1841), we're using that sense of "rudimentary" – a place where you learn the foundational, first principles of education.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Elementary

Common Phrases/Idioms with "Elementary":

1. Elementary, my dear Watson: (Though often misquoted as a direct phrase by Sherlock Holmes, it's a widely recognized idiom implying something is obvious or simple to deduce).

2. Elementary school: (A very common phrase referring to the first level of formal education for children).

3. Elementary education: (Refers to the foundational learning provided in elementary schools).

4. Elementary principles: (Refers to the basic or foundational rules/ideas of a subject).

5. Elementary mistake: (A very basic or obvious error).

Lesser-Known/Original Phrases with "Elementary":

1. An elementary understanding: (A basic or fundamental grasp of a subject).

2. Reduce to its elementary components: (To break something down into its most basic parts).

3. The elementary truth: (The simple, undeniable core of a matter).

4. Beyond elementary: (Suggesting something is more complex than just the basics).

Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect:

1. Basic common sense: (Similar to "elementary logic," implying a fundamental, simple understanding).

2. Back to basics: (Implies returning to fundamental principles, similar to focusing on what's "elementary").

3. The ABCs of it: (Refers to the fundamental, elementary aspects of something).

4. Simple as breathing: (Implies something is extremely easy, akin to being "elementary").

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

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

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