The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word INTEGRAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
I
N
T
E
G
R
A
L
More clues leading to the result INTEGRAL
- Essential current books by big revolutionary
- Essential getting elected, then great time for a U-turn!
- One set of books bulky to lift as a whole
- Basic triangle redrawn
- Big-time writer releasing book – comeback essential
- Whole of oblique triangle
- Like form of calculus working out triangle
- Tearing forms, fifty complete
- Seeing some burglar get nicked on the way up is essential
- Full pint, no head, great when knocked back
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Basic" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case basic = integral.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does INTEGRAL mean?
INTEGRAL noun- A number, the limit of the sums computed in a process in which the domain of a function is divided into small subsets and a possibly nominal value of the function on each subset is multiplied by the measure of that subset, all these products then being summed.
- A definite integral, a limit of sums.
- Antiderivative
- Constituting a whole together with other parts or factors; not omittable or removable
- Of, pertaining to, or being an integer.
- Relating to integration.
- Whole; undamaged.