from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fundamental \Fun`da*men"tal\, a. [Cf. F. fondamental.]
Pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the
foundation. Hence: Essential, as an element, principle, or
law; important; original; elementary; as, a fundamental
truth; a fundamental axiom.
[1913 Webster]
The fundamental reasons of this war. --Shak.
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Some fundamental antithesis in nature. --Whewell.
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{Fundamental bass} (Mus.), the root note of a chord; a bass
formed of the roots or fundamental tones of the chords.
{Fundamental chord} (Mus.), a chord, the lowest tone of which
is its root.
{Fundamental colors}, red, green, and violet-blue. See
{Primary colors}, under {Color}.
[1913 Webster]