elementary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   easy and not involved or complicated

   an elementary problem in statistics

2. 2
   adj

   of or being the essential or basic part

   an elementary need for love and nurturing

3. 3
   adj

   of or pertaining to or characteristic of elementary school or elementary education

   the elementary grades

4. 4
   adj

   Fundamental: serving as a building block for more complicated structures or processes.

   The physics of elementary particles in the 20th century was distinguished by the observation of particles whose existence had been predicted by theorists sometimes decades earlier.

5. 5
   noun

   Ellipsis of elementary school.

   At Lakeside Elementary I learned to appreciate the forest.

6. 6
   noun

   A supernatural being associated with the elements.

   The demon (or elementary) of the South-West wind was particularly dreaded, as being the gini of fever and madness.

7. 7
   adj

   Relating to the basic, essential or fundamental part of something.

8. 8
   adj

   Very simple.

Etymology

From Middle English elementare, from Latin elementārius (“elementary”), from elementum (“one of the four elements of antiquity; fundamentals”) + -ārius (adjective-forming suffix). Cognate with French élémentaire. By surface analysis, element + -ary.