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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fundamental \Fun"da*men`tal\, n. A leading or primary principle, rule, law, or article, which serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part, as, the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)