Collins English-English Dictionary

base [beɪs]

1. 1. n the bottom or supporting part of anything

2. 2. n [logic] [maths] base clause the initial element of a recursive definition, that defines the first element of the infinite sequence generated thereby

3. 3. n the fundamental or underlying principle or part, as of an idea, system, or organization; basis

4. 4. n a centre of operations, organization, or supply

   the climbers made a base at 8000 feet

5. 5. n (as modifier)

   base camp

6. 6. n a centre from which military activities are coordinated

7. 7. n anything from which a process, as of measurement, action, or thought, is or may be begun; starting point

   the new discovery became the base for further research

8. 8. n the main ingredient of a mixture

   to use rice as a base in cookery

9. 9. n a chemical compound that combines with an acid to form a salt and water. A solution of a base in water turns litmus paper blue, produces hydroxyl ions, and has a pH greater than 7. Bases are metal oxides or hydroxides or amines - See also Lewis base

10. 10. n [biochem] any of the nitrogen-containing constituents of nucleic acids: adenine, thymine (in DNA), uracil (in RNA), guanine, or cytosine

11. 11. n a medium such as oil or water in which the pigment is dispersed in paints, inks, etc; vehicle

12. 12. n the inorganic material on which the dye is absorbed in lake pigments; carrier

13. 13. n [biology] the part of an organ nearest to its point of attachment

14. 14. n the point of attachment of an organ or part

15. 15. n the bottommost layer or part of anything

16. 16. n [architect] the lowest division of a building or structure

17. 17. n the lower part of a column or pier

18. 18. n another word for baseline

19. 19. n the lower side or face of a geometric construction

20. 20. n [maths] the number of distinct single-digit numbers in a counting system, and so the number represented as 10 in a place-value system - See place-value

    the binary system has two digits, 0 and 1, and 10 to base two represents 2

21. 21. n (of a logarithm or exponential) the number whose powers are expressed

    since 1000 = 10³, the logarithm of 1000 to base 10 is 3

22. 22. n (of a mathematical structure) a substructure from which the given system can be generated

23. 23. n the initial instance from which a generalization is proven by mathematical induction

24. 24. n [linguistics] a root or stem

25. 25. n See base component

26. 26. n [electronics] the region in a transistor between the emitter and collector

27. 27. n [photog] the glass, paper, or cellulose-ester film that supports the sensitized emulsion with which it is coated

28. 28. n [heraldry] the lower part of the shield

29. 29. n [jewellery] the quality factor used in pricing natural pearls

30. 30. n a starting or finishing point in any of various games

31. 31. n [baseball] any of the four corners of the diamond, which runners have to reach in order to score

32. 32. n the main source of a certain commodity or element

    a customer base

    their fan base

33. 33. vt. [tr foll by on or upon] to use as a basis (for); found (on)

    your criticisms are based on ignorance

34. 34. vt. [often foll by at or in] to station, post, or place (a person or oneself)

35. 35. vt. [Etymology] C14: from Old French, from Latin basis pedestal; see basis

base [beɪs]

1. 1. adj devoid of honour or morality; ignoble; contemptible

2. 2. adj of inferior quality or value

3. 3. adj debased; alloyed; counterfeit

   base currency

4. 4. adj [English history] (of land tenure) held by villein or other ignoble service

5. 5. adj holding land by villein or other ignoble service

6. 6. adj [archaic] born of humble parents; plebeian

7. 7. adj [archaic] illegitimate

8. 8. n an obsolete spelling of bass

9. 9. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French bas, from Late Latin bassus of low height, perhaps from Greek basson deeper