basic form
Stripped-down original state
Basic form is the simplest or most fundamental version of something—the form from which variations derive.
In grammar, a verb's basic form is its infinitive without "to": The basic form of "running" is "run".
In other contexts, it suggests an unadorned starting point: Fill out the basic form before adding optional sections.
Smallest meaningful language unit
- lexemeFundamental dictionary unit
- stemPlant's central axis
- rootUnderground absorbing structure
- lemmaBase form, or helper theorem
uninflected · canonical · infinitive · nominative · paradigm · inflection · derivation · conjugation
Forming the base
- elementaryOf first principles
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- rudimentaryIn simplest possible form
- primaryChief in importance
simple · core · underlying · introductory · entry-level · beginner · starter · prerequisite
morpheme
Smallest meaningful language unit
lemma · uninflected · canonical · infinitive · nominative · paradigm · inflection · derivation · conjugation · declension
fundamental
Forming the base
- elementaryOf first principles
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- rudimentaryIn simplest possible form
primary · simple · core · underlying · introductory · entry-level · beginner · starter · prerequisite · preliminary