elementary
/ˌeləˈmentɹi/eh-luh-MEN-tree
UK form converted from the US by rule · unchecked/ˌɛləˈmɛntɹi/eh-luh-MEN-tree
Meaningrelating to elements
Common meaning: basic
Other meanings: simple
Tap a word part to explore
- elementa first principleSkeat, Concise Etymological Dictionary (1911), p. 161 · scan
- aryending: linked with, or a place for
Sources & notes
Meaning: “Meaning” is the sense that emerges from the word’s roots; “Common meaning” is today’s everyday sense. Both written by us.
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: converted from the US form by rule (unchecked). Respelling: generated.
- No UK recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-GB voice.
- US IPA: CMUdict (BSD-2), converted to IPA by rule. Respelling: generated.
- No US recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-US voice.
Origin: Formed in English from element + -ary.
Dictionary: Skeat (1898), ELEMENT, p.187 · scan
Source words
- elementum Latin · source word “a first principle”
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