a. [ Cf. F. fondamental. ] Pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the foundation.
The fundamental reasons of this war. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Some fundamental antithesis in nature. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]
Fundamental bass (Mus.),
Fundamental chord (Mus.),
Fundamental colors,
n. A leading or primary principle, rule, law, or article, which serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part,
n.
n. a supporter of fundamentalism. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
adv. Primarily; originally; essentially; radically; at the foundation; in origin or constituents. “Fundamentally defective.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]