core meaning
Heart of meaning
The core meaning of a word is its most basic or central sense—the fundamental concept from which other meanings branch.
A word like "run" has dozens of uses, but its core meaning involves rapid forward motion on foot.
Identifying core meaning helps explain how extended and figurative senses develop: if you understand that "grasp" fundamentally means to grip with the hand, you can see how grasp an idea follows naturally.
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- heartCirculatory system's pump
- heart of the matterCentral essential issue
- centerMiddle of anything
- nucleusCentral controlling part
fundamental · central · kernel · crux · nitty gritty · gist · soul · substance · pith · marrow · seed · root · apple · earth · bedrock · foundation · bare bones · bottom line