1. basically, fundamentally, essentially, in essence, au fond - at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature; "He is basically dishonest"; "the argument was essentially a technical one"; "for all his bluster he is in essence a shy person"
   

Term: Au Fond

Part of Speech: Adverb/Phrase

Sense 1: (Popular) Used to describe the basic or essential nature of something.

Sample Sentence: She is a kind person au fond, despite her tough exterior.

Sense 2: (Local) In French cuisine, refers to the browned food particles and caramelized juices stuck to the bottom of a pan, used to add flavor to sauces and gravies.

Sample Sentence: The chef deglazed the pan to incorporate the au fond into the sauce.