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basics

 - 7 dictionary results

ba⋅sic

  [bey-sik]
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or forming a base; fundamental: a basic principle; the basic ingredient.
2. Chemistry.
a. pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a base.
b. not having all of the hydroxyls of the base replaced by the acid group, or having the metal or its equivalent united partly to the acid group and partly to oxygen.
c. alkaline.
3. Metallurgy. noting, pertaining to, or made by a steelmaking process (basic process) in which the furnace or converter is lined with a basic or nonsiliceous material, mainly burned magnesite and a small amount of ground basic slag, to remove impurities from the steel. Compare acid (def. 8).
4. Geology. (of a rock) having relatively little silica.
5. Military.
a. primary: basic training.
b. of lowest rank: airman basic.
–noun
6. Military.
a. basic training.
b. a soldier or airman receiving basic training.
7. Often, basics. something that is fundamental or basic; an essential ingredient, principle, procedure, etc.: to learn the basics of music; to get back to basics.
Use basics in a Sentence
Origin:
1835–45; base 1 + -ic

Synonyms:
1. elementary, essential, key, primary; basal; underlying.

BASIC

  [bey-sik]
–noun Computers.
a widely adopted programming language that uses English words, punctuation marks, and algebraic notation to facilitate communication between the operator or lay user and the computer.
Origin:
1965–70; B(eginner's) A(ll-purpose) S(ymbolic) I(nstruction) C(ode)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To basics
ba·sic   (bā'sĭk)   
adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or forming a base; fundamental: "Basic changes in public opinion often occur because of shifts in concerns and priorities" (Atlantic).

  2. Of, being, or serving as a starting point or basis: a basic course in Russian; a set of basic woodworking tools.

  3. Chemistry

    1. Of or relating to a base.

    2. Containing a base, especially in excess of acid.

    3. Alkaline.

  4. Geology Containing little silica, as igneous rocks.

n.  

  1. An essential, fundamental element or entity: the basics of math.

  2. Basic training.

ba·sic'i·ty (-sĭs'ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

BASIC 
computer language, 1964, acronym for Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code; invented by J.G. Kemeny and T.E. Kurtz.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ba·sic
Pronunciation: 'bA-sik also -zik
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or forming the base or essence
2a : of, relating to, containing, or having the character of a base b : having an alkaline reaction
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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basic ba·sic (bā'sĭk)
adj.

  1. Of, being, or serving as a starting point or basis.

  2. Producing, resulting from, or relating to a base.

  3. Containing a base, especially in excess of acid.

  4. Containing oxide or hydroxide anions.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
BASIC   (bā'sĭk)  Pronunciation Key 
A simple programming language developed in the 1960s that is widely taught to students as a first programming language.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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