Fundamental
/ˌfʌn.dəˈmɛn.təl/noun
Forming the base or core of something; essential.
Did you know?Its deepest root, Latin fundus, meant “bottom” or “base,” so the word literally grew out of the idea of what lies underneath everything.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhudh-
“to be at the bottom, base”
Latin
Latin
fundus
“bottom, base, foundation, estate”
Late Latin
Latin
fundamentum
“foundation, base”
Middle French
Old French
fondement
“foundation, basis”
Late Middle English
English
fundamental
“basic, serving as a foundation”
Modern English
English
fundamental
“forming the essential base or core of something”