The term BASIC MATTER is composed of two words, 'BASIC' and 'MATTER'. The first word, 'BASIC', can be defined as fundamental or essential. The second word, 'MATTER', is a scientific term referring to the physical material that makes up the universe. The crossword solution for this term is ATOMS, which are the smallest particles of MATTER that make up all physical objects. ATOMS are the building blocks of all MATTER, and they are the BASIC components of everything in the universe.