1.  basic(n = noun.communication) - a popular programming language that is relatively easy to learn; an acronym for beginner's all-purpose symbolic instruction code; no longer in general use;
is a kind of programing language, programming language

2.  basic(n = noun.artifact) staple - (usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant;
is a kind of commodity, good, trade good

1.  basic(a = adj.all) - pertaining to or constituting a base or basis; "a basic fact"; "the basic ingredients"; "basic changes in public opinion occur because of changes in priorities"
Antonym: incidental

2.  basic(s = adj.all) canonic, canonical - reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality; "a basic story line"; "a canonical syllable pattern"

3.  basic(s = adj.all) introductory - serving as a base or starting point; "a basic course in Russian"; "basic training for raw recruits"; "a set of basic tools"; "an introductory art course"

4.  basic(s = adj.all) - of or denoting or of the nature of or containing a base;

1.  Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in a salt. [1913 Webster]

2.  Said of crystalline rocks which contain a relatively low percentage of silica, as basalt. [1913 Webster]

   an artificial computer language with a relatively simplified instruction set.
"Writing a program in BASIC or other higher computer languages is simpler than writing in assembly language. See also programming language, FORTRAN." [PJC]

basic, n. a computer programming language using familiar English words, designed for beginners and widely used on microcomputers.

Etymology:
Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code

basic, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 forming or serving as a base.
2 fundamental.
3 a simplest or lowest in level (basic pay; basic requirements). b vulgar (basic humour).
4 Chem. having the properties of or containing a base.
5 Geol. (of volcanic rocks etc.) having less than 50 per cent silica.
6 Metallurgy of or produced in a furnace etc. which is made of a basic material.
--n. (usu. in pl.) the fundamental facts or principles.

Idiom:
basic dye a dye consisting of salts of organic bases. Basic English a simplified form of English limited to 850 selected words intended for international communication. basic industry an industry of fundamental economic importance. basic slag fertilizer containing phosphates formed as a by-product during steel manufacture. basic wage Austral. & NZ the minimum living wage, fixed by industrial tribunal.

Derivative:
basically adv.

Etymology:
BASE(1) + -IC

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