/ English Dictionary |
BASIC
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
Synonyms:
basic; staple
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("basic" is a kind of...):
commodity; good; trade good (articles of commerce)
Domain usage:
plural; plural form (the form of a word that is used to denote more than one)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A popular programming language that is relatively easy to learn; an acronym for beginner's all-purpose symbolic instruction code; no longer in general use
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("BASIC" is a kind of...):
programing language; programming language ((computer science) a language designed for programming computers)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of or denoting or of the nature of or containing a base
Classified under:
Similar:
alkalic; alkaline (relating to or containing an alkali; having a pH greater than 7)
Domain category:
chemical science; chemistry (the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Serving as a base or starting point
Example:
an introductory art course
Synonyms:
basic; introductory
Classified under:
Similar:
first (preceding all others in time or space or degree)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Pertaining to or constituting a base or basis
Example:
basic changes in public opinion occur because of changes in priorities
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
basal; base (serving as or forming a base)
basal; elemental; elementary; primary (of or being the essential or basic part)
fundamental; rudimentary; underlying (being or involving basic facts or principles)
grassroots (fundamental)
radical (arising from or going to the root or source)
Antonym:
incidental ((sometimes followed by 'to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality
Example:
a canonical syllable pattern
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
standard (established or well-known or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence)
Context examples:
Basic social sciences and behavioral research designed to strengthen the understanding of (a) the determinants and processes that influence HIV-related risk behaviors and (b) the consequences of HIV disease.
(Basic Behavioral and Social Science Research, NCI Thesaurus)
A data type comprised of the basic properties of a data value.
(Any Data Type, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)
The basic life that was in him took charge of him.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Basic fuchsin is primarily used for bacterial identification, but is also used as a dye in textiles, leather, and printing inks.
(Basic Fuchsin, NCI Thesaurus)
A cell whose cytoplasm or granules stain readily with basic dyes.
(Basophilic Cell, NCI Thesaurus)
A mixture of the sulfate salts of basic glycopeptide antineoplastic antibiotics isolated from Streptomyces verticillus.
(Bleomycin sulfate, NCI Thesaurus)
Issue associated with the basic physical construction or physical make up of the device.
(Medical Device Structural Problem, Food and Drug Administration)
A concept is the basic unit of information contained in the Thesaurus.
(NCI Thesaurus Concept, NCI Thesaurus)
It supports and conducts clinical and basic research and research training on health and illness across the lifespan.
(National Institute of Nursing Research, NCI Thesaurus)
An institute within the National Institutes of Health with the mission to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery and cure.
(National Institute of Mental Health, NCI Thesaurus)