BA·SIC or Ba·sic  (b ās ĭk)
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n. A widely used programming language that is designed to be easy to learn.
[B(eginner's) A(ll-purpose) S(ymbolic) I(nstruction) C(ode).] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ba·sic  (bā sĭk)
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adj. 1. Of, relating to, or forming a base; fundamental: “Basic changes in public opinion often occur because of shifts in concerns and priorities” (Atlantic). 2. Of, being, or serving as a starting point or basis: a basic course in Russian; a set of basic woodworking tools. 3. Chemistry a. Of or relating to a base. b. Containing a base, especially in excess of acid. c. Alkaline. 4. Geology Containing little silica, as certain igneous rocks. 5. Slang Unthinkingly or blandly conformist: “Even someone who looks really indie … can be basic if they are simply imitating others rather than thinking for themselves” (Chelsea Rickling). n. 1. An essential, fundamental element or entity: the basics of math. 2. Basic training.
ba·sici·ty (-sĭsĭ-tē) n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:
Indo-European Roots
Semitic Roots
The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.
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