BASIC MATERIAL is a term used to describe the fundamental components of a substance. GRIST, an archaic word for grain or corn, is a 5-letter word that can be used to describe a basic material. ALKALI, a 6-letter word, is a type of base that is often used as a basic material in chemistry. ELEMENT, a 7-letter word, is a type of substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances and is often used as a basic material in science.