base

Middle English

/ˈbaːs(ə)/

noun
Definitions
  • A foundation or base; the bottom of a building.
  • The foundation, base, or bottom of a column, statue, or vase.
  • (rare) Padding inserted below a horse's bridle.
  • (rare) A hand's palm; the section of a hand below the fingers.
  • (rare) The bottom portion of a dress.
  • (rare) The mix of metals used as a base for alchemical operations.

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French base derived from Latin basis (base, foundation) derived from Ancient Greek βᾰ́σῐς (base, foundation, foot) derived from Proto-Indo-European *gʷémtis.

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*gʷémtis

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms