ELEMENTAL

elementary, elemental, primary, basal

(adjective) of or being the essential or basic part; “an elementary need for love and nurturing”; “a basal reader”

elemental

(adjective) relating to or being an element; “elemental sulphur”

elemental

(adjective) relating to severe atmospheric conditions; “a race against hail or cold rains or some other elemental catastrophe”- J.K.Howard

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

elemental (not comparable)

(chemistry) Of, relating to, or being an element (as opposed to a compound).

Basic, fundamental or elementary.

Of the ancient supposed elements of earth, air, fire and water.

(by extension) Of, or relating to a force or nature, especially to severe atmospheric conditions.

Noun

elemental (plural elementals)

(theosophy, fantasy) A creature (usually a spirit) that is attuned with, or composed of, one of the classical elements: air, earth, fire and water or variations of them like ice, lightning, etc. They sometimes have unique proper names and sometimes are referred to as Air, Earth, Fire, or Water.

Source: Wiktionary

El`e*men"tal, a.

1. Pertaining to the elements, first principles, and primary ingredients, or to the four supposed elements of the material world; as, elemental air. "Elemental strife." Pope.

2. Pertaining to rudiments or first principles; rudimentary; elementary. "The elemental rules of erudition." Cawthorn.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition