*basic*

a. 1. (Chem.) (a) Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in a salt. (b) Having the base in excess, or the amount of the base atomically greater than that of the acid, or exceeding in proportion that of the related neutral salt. (c) Apparently alkaline, as certain normal salts which exhibit alkaline reactions with test paper. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Min.) Said of crystalline rocks which contain a relatively low percentage of silica, as basalt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Basic salt (Chem.), a salt formed from a base or hydroxide by the partial replacement of its hydrogen by a negative or acid element or radical. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Basi- + Gr. ke`ras horn, antenna. ] (Zool.) The second joint of the antennæ of crustaceans. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) (a) The quality or state of being a base. (b) The power of an acid to unite with one or more atoms or equivalents of a base, as indicated by the number of replaceable hydrogen atoms contained in the acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Iron Metal.) A Bessemer or open-hearth steel-making process in which a lining that is basic, or not siliceous, is used, and additions of basic material are made to the molten charge during treatment. Opposed to acid process, above. Called also Thomas process. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. pl. 1. a statement of fundamental facts or principles.
Syn. -- ABC, ABC's, ABCs, rudiments. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. principles from which other truths can be derived; as, let's get down to basics.
Syn. -- fundamentals, fundamental principle, basic principle, bedrock. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

. A by-product from the manufacture of steel by the basic process, used as a fertilizer. It is rich in lime and contains 14 to 20 per cent of phosphoric acid. Called also Thomas slag, phosphatic slag, and odorless phosphate. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. Steel produced by the basic process. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ Pref. bi- + basic. ] (Chem.) Having to hydrogen atoms which can be replaced by positive or basic atoms or radicals to form salts; -- said of acids. See Dibasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. di- + basic. ] (Chem.) Having two acid hydrogen atoms capable of replacement by basic atoms or radicals, in forming salts; bibasic; -- said of acids, as oxalic or sulphuric acids. Cf. Diacid, Bibasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the case of certain acids dibasic and divalent are not synonymous; as, tartaric acid is tetravalent and dibasic, lactic acid is divalent but monobasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) The property or condition of being dibasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Pertaining to, or having, a gynobase. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Hexa- + basic. ] (Chem.) Having six hydrogen atoms or six radicals capable of being replaced or saturated by bases; -- said of acids; as, mellitic acid is hexabasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Mono- + basic. ] (Chem.) Capable of being neutralized by a univalent base or basic radical; having but one acid hydrogen atom to be replaced; -- said of acids; as, acetic, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are monobasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Penta- + basic. ] (Chem.) Capable of uniting with five molecules of a monacid base; having five acid hydrogen atoms capable of substitution by a basic radical; -- said of certain acids. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Poly- + basic. ] (Chem.) Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several molecules of a monacid base; having several hydrogen atoms capable of being replaced by basic radicals; -- said of certain acids; as, sulphuric acid is polybasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Quadri- + basic. ] (Chem.) Same as Tetrabasic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Sesqui- + basic. ] (Chem.) Containing, or acting as, a base in the proportions of a sesqui compound. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Tetra- + basic. ] (Chem.) Capable of neutralizing four molecules of a monacid base; having four hydrogen atoms capable of replacement by bases; quadribasic; -- said of certain acids; thus, normal silicic acid, Si(OH)4, is a tetrabasic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]