fundament etymology

Etymology

The word "fundament" derives from the Latin term "fundamentum," which can be traced further to the verb "fundare," meaning "to found" or "to establish."

Meaning

In modern English, "fundament" has two primary meanings:

  1. Physical Base:

    • The underlying support or base upon which something is built or stands.
    • Used to describe the buttocks or lower part of the backbone.
  2. Conceptual Foundation:

    • The essential or basic principles or beliefs that underlie a system, theory, or idea.
    • Used to refer to the core principles or laws of nature, science, or philosophy.

Origin

The Latin word "fundamentum" originally referred to the physical foundation of a building or structure. It was used in both a literal and figurative sense, signifying not only the literal support for a building but also the metaphorical foundation for an idea or principle. From the Latin, "fundamentum" entered Middle English and then Modern English, where it has retained its dual meaning.

fundament relate terms

  • bottom

    Etymology Bottom derives from the Old English word botm which meant the lowest par

  • fundamental

    Etymology Fundamental comes from Latin fundamentum meaning foundation or basis

  • fundament

    Etymology The word fundament derives from the Latin term fundamentum which can be tr

  • foundation

    Etymology Latin fundatio meaning foundation From the verb fundare meaning to

  • base

    Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

  • foot

    Etymology The word foot derives from the Old English word fot which is of Germanic o

  • recoil

    Etymology The word recoil has its origins in two French words reculer to move bac

  • cornerstone

    Etymology The word cornerstone is derived from two words Corner Late Latin cornar

  • explanation

    Etymology The word explanation is derived from the Latin word explanare which means

  • body

    Etymology Old English bod Proto Germanic bodaz Proto Indo European bʰedʰ Mean

  • sear

    Etymology From Middle English sear from Old English sær from Proto Germanic _saira_

  • rase

    Etymology Old English ras bald clean shaven Middle English ras bald clean shav