bedrock
/ˈbɛdrɒk
/noun [mass noun]
1Solid rock underlying loose deposits such as soil or alluvium.Flat or slightly rolling terrain is the rule here, and thick soil deposits overlay Cretaceous shale bedrock....
- The plants were growing from several fissures in the mafic bedrock that underlies the creek.
- Erosion of the underlying bedrock appears to have been limited.
Synonyms
substratum, substructure, understructure, solid foundation, base, basis, underpinning, bed, rock bed
1.1The fundamental principles on which something is based: honesty is the bedrock of a good relationship...
- These terms were to remain as the bedrock of his artistic principles even though his manner and procedures of painting were to change quite radically.
- Give them a clear standard that is in accordance with the bedrock principles of our nation.
- We need cool heads, warm hearts and our bedrock values of fairness and equality to choose the right path.
Synonyms
core, basis, base, foundation, root, roots, heart, backbone, essence, nitty-gritty
informal nuts and bolts