[syn: elementary, elemental, primary]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Elementary \El`e*men"ta*ry\, a. [L. elementarius: cf. F.
['e]l['e]mentaire.]
1. Having only one principle or constituent part; consisting
of a single element; simple; uncompounded; as, an
elementary substance.
[1913 Webster]
2. Pertaining to, or treating of, the elements, rudiments, or
first principles of anything; initial; rudimental;
introductory; as, an elementary treatise.
[1913 Webster]
3. Pertaining to one of the four elements, air, water, earth,
fire. "Some luminous and fiery impressions in the
elementary region." --J. Spencer.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
elementary
adj 1: easy and not involved or complicated; "an elementary
problem in statistics"; "elementary, my dear Watson"; "a
simple game"; "found an uncomplicated solution to the
problem" [syn: elementary, simple, uncomplicated,
unproblematic]
2: of or pertaining to or characteristic of elementary school or
elementary education; "the elementary grades"; "elementary
teachers"
3: of or being the essential or basic part; "an elementary need
for love and nurturing" [syn: elementary, elemental,
primary]