Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - basic

~ adj 1 forming the main or most necessary part of something  (a meeting to discuss the basic structure of the department | the basic principles of mathematics) 2 at the simplest or least developed level  (My knowledge of German is pretty basic. | The farm lacks even basic equipment.) 3 basic salary/pay etc the amount of money that you are paid before any special payments are added 4 only before noun basic desires, rights etc, are ones that everyone has  (Basic human rights are still denied in many countries.)  (- see also basics)