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sim·ple

Audio Help [sim-puh

l] Pronunciation Key adjective, -pler, -plest, noun

–adjective

1.	easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.

2.	not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.

3.	not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.

4.	unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.

5.	not complicated: a simple design.

6.	not complex or compound; single.

7.	occurring or considered alone; mere; bare: the simple truth; a simple fact.

8.	free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional: a frank, simple answer.

9.	common or ordinary: a simple soldier.

10.	not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious: a simple way of life.

11.	humble or lowly: simple folk.

12.	inconsequential or rudimentary.

13.	unlearned; ignorant.

14.	lacking mental acuteness or sense: a simple way of thinking.

15.	unsophisticated; naive; credulous.

16.	simpleminded.

17.

Chemistry.

a.	composed of only one substance or element: a simple substance.

b.	not mixed.

18.	Botany. not divided into parts: a simple leaf; a simple stem.

19.	Zoology. not compound: a simple ascidian.

20.	Music. uncompounded or without overtones; single: simple tone.

21.	Grammar. having only the head without modifying elements included: The simple subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “pony.” Compare complete (def. 5).

22.	(of a verb tense) consisting of a main verb with no auxiliaries, as takes (simple present) or stood (simple past) (opposed to compound).

23.	Mathematics. linear (def. 7).

24.	Optics. (of a lens) having two optical surfaces only.

–noun

25.	an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.

26.	something simple, unmixed, or uncompounded.

27.	simples, Textiles. cords for controlling the warp threads in forming the shed on draw-looms.

28.	a person of humble origins; commoner.

29.	an herb or other plant used for medicinal purposes: country simples.

[Origin: 1175–1225; (adj.) ME < OF < LL simplus simple, L (in simpla pecunia simple fee or sum), equiv. to sim- one (see simplex) + -plus, as in duplus duple, double (see -fold); c. Gk háplos (see haplo-); (n.) ME: commoner, deriv. of the adj.

]

—Related forms

sim·ple·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. clear, intelligible, understandable, unmistakable, lucid. 2. natural, unembellished, neat. 8. artless, guileless, ingenuous. 10. See homely. 12. trifling, trivial, nonessential, unnecessary. 13. untutored, stupid.

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Simplest

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

sim·ple Audio Help (sĭm'pəl) Pronunciation Key
adj. sim·pler, sim·plest

Having or composed of only one thing, element, or part. See Synonyms at pure.
Not involved or complicated; easy: a simple task. See Synonyms at easy.
Being without additions or modifications; mere: a simple "yes" or "no."
Having little or no ornamentation; not embellished or adorned: a simple dress.
Not elaborate, elegant, or luxurious. See Synonyms at plain.
Unassuming or unpretentious; not affected.
1. Having or manifesting little sense or intelligence.
2. Uneducated; ignorant.
3. Unworldly or unsophisticated. See Synonyms at naive.
4. Being a fundamental or rudimentary element; basic.
5. Not important or significant; trivial.
Not guileful or deceitful; sincere.
Humble or lowly in condition or rank: a simple woodcutter.
Ordinary or common: a simple head cold.
1. Being a fundamental or rudimentary element; basic.
2. Not important or significant; trivial.
Biology Having no divisions or branches; not compound: a simple leaf; a simple eye or lens.
Music Being without figuration or elaboration: a simple tone.