frond

noun

ˈfränd

Definition

a large leaf (especially of a palm or fern) usually with many divisions
a thallus or thalloid shoot (as of a lichen or seaweed) resembling a leaf

Other Words

fronded ˈfrän-dəd adjective

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Latin frond-, frons foliage

fundamental

adjective

fun·da·men·tal

ˌfən-də-ˈmen-tᵊl

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function basic //a fundamental truth/belief/concept //The participation of citizens is fundamental to democracy. //There's a fundamental difference between the two political parties. //The Constitution ensures our fundamental rights.
serving as an original or generating source primary //a discovery fundamental to modern computers
of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts radical //fundamental change
also of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application //fundamental science
adhering to fundamentalism //a preacher who is evangelical, Bible-teaching, and fundamental
of central importance principal //fundamental purpose //such fundamental events as birth, marriage, and death
belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics deep-rooted //her fundamental good humor
of, relating to, or produced by the lowest component of a complex vibration (see vibration sense 1)

noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

something fundamental
especially one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is //Reading is a fundamental of education. //learning the fundamentals of math
the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics is based
the root of a chord
the harmonic component of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly the greatest amplitude

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Adjective

abecedarian basal basic beginning elemental elementary essential introductory meat-and-potatoes rudimental rudimentary underlying

Antonyms: Adjective

advanced

Examples

Adjective

//The Constitution ensures our fundamental rights.
//There's a fundamental difference between these two political parties.
//These ideas are of fundamental importance.
//The revolution brought about a fundamental change in the country.
//We need to make some fundamental changes in the way we do business.
//We need to address these problems on a more fundamental level.

Noun

//all students at the school of music must take a course in the fundamentals of their chosen art

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin fundāmentālis "serving as a foundation," from Latin fundāmentum "foundation, basis" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at fundament

Noun

derivative of fundamental entry 1

rty //the family fortune is mostly in rare paintings and real estate

Synonyms

assets capital means opulence riches substance wealth wherewithal worth

Near Antonyms

debts liabilities

indebtedness

frond

noun

ˈfränd

Definition

a large leaf (especially of a palm or fern) usually with many divisions
a thallus or thalloid shoot (as of a lichen or seaweed) resembling a leaf

Other Words

fronded ˈfrän-dəd adjective

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Latin frond-, frons foliage

fundamental

adjective

fun·da·men·tal

ˌfən-də-ˈmen-tᵊl

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function basic //a fundamental truth/belief/concept //The participation of citizens is fundamental to democracy. //There's a fundamental difference between the two political parties. //The Constitution ensures our fundamental rights.
serving as an original or generating source primary //a discovery fundamental to modern computers
of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts radical //fundamental change
also of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application //fundamental science
adhering to fundamentalism //a preacher who is evangelical, Bible-teaching, and fundamental
of central importance principal //fundamental purpose //such fundamental events as birth, marriage, and death
belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics deep-rooted //her fundamental good humor
of, relating to, or produced by the lowest component of a complex vibration (see vibration sense 1)

noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

something fundamental
especially one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is //Reading is a fundamental of education. //learning the fundamentals of math
the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics is based
the root of a chord
the harmonic component of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly the greatest amplitude

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Adjective

abecedarian basal basic beginning elemental elementary essential introductory meat-and-potatoes rudimental rudimentary underlying

Antonyms: Adjective

advanced

Examples

Adjective

//The Constitution ensures our fundamental rights.
//There's a fundamental difference between these two political parties.
//These ideas are of fundamental importance.
//The revolution brought about a fundamental change in the country.
//We need to make some fundamental changes in the way we do business.
//We need to address these problems on a more fundamental level.

Noun

//all students at the school of music must take a course in the fundamentals of their chosen art

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin fundāmentālis "serving as a foundation," from Latin fundāmentum "foundation, basis" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at fundament

Noun

derivative of fundamental entry 1

abominable

Definition

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Definition

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)