basic vocabulary

noun

, Linguistics.

1. the set of lexical items in a language that are most resistant to replacement, referring to the most common and universal elements of human experience, such as parts of the body ( foot, eye ), universal features of the environment ( water, star ), common activities ( eat, sleep ), and the lowest numerals.

Example Sentences

Upon this foundation of a sound accent and a basic vocabulary must be built the general fabric of the language.

From Project Gutenberg