The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fundamental \Fun`da*men"tal\, a. [Cf. F. fondamental.] Pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the foundation. Hence: Essential, as an element, principle, or law; important; original; elementary; as, a fundamental truth; a fundamental axiom.
The fundamental reasons of this war.
--Shak.
Some fundamental antithesis in nature.
--Whewell.
Fundamental bass (Mus.), the root note of a chord; a bass formed of the roots or fundamental tones of the chords.
Fundamental chord (Mus.), a chord, the lowest tone of which is its root.
Fundamental colors, red, green, and violet-blue. See Primary colors, under Color.
Usage examples of "fundamental bass".
But across this dollish mask, like a gay melody dancing over an unchanging fundamental bass, passed Anne's other inheritance—.