el|e|men|ta|ry

el|e|men|ta|ry «_EHL uh MEHN tuhr ee, -tree», adjective.

1. dealing with the simple, necessary parts to be learned first; having to do with first principles; introductory: »

a course in elementary botany.

2. made up of only one chemical element; not a compound: »

Silver is an elementary substance.

3. having to do with a chemical element or elements.

4. elemental (def. 6).

5. of or having to do with basic or primary instruction: »

elementary education.

Synonym Study 1 Elementary, rudimentary, primary mean having to do with the beginnings something. Elementary emphasizes the idea of being basic, and applies to the first steps or beginning facts and principles of anything: »

I learned addition and subtraction in elementary arithmetic.

Rudimentary emphasizes the idea of being undeveloped, and applies to the first parts and principles of knowledge or a subject studied: »

She has only a rudimentary knowledge of mathematics.

Primary emphasizes coming first in order or time: »

Primary grades are the first three grades of elementary school.