elemental

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Basic and fundamental; forming an essential part of something.

   The need for safety is one of our most elemental human needs.

2. 2
   adj

   Relating to the powerful forces of nature, especially harsh weather.

   They struggled against the elemental fury of the storm.

From Middle English elementall, from Medieval Latin elementālis; compare Old French elementel. By surface analysis, element + -al.

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