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(bs), a.[OE. bass, F. bas, low, fr. LL. bassus thick, fat, short, humble; cf. L. Bassus, a proper name, and W. bas shallow. Cf. Bass a part in music.] 1. Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs. [Archaic] Shak. 2. Low in place or position. [Obs.] Shak. 3. Of humble birth; or low degree; lowly; mean. [Archaic] "A peasant and base swain." Bacon. 4. Illegitimate by birth; bastard. [Archaic] Why bastard? wherefore base? Shak. 5. Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals. 6. Alloyed with inferior metal; debased; as, base coin; base bullion. 7. Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations. "A cruel act of a base and a cowardish mind." Robynson (More's Utopia). "Base ingratitude." Milton. 8. Not classical or correct. "Base Latin." Fuller. 9. Deep or grave in sound; as, the base tone of a violin. [In this sense, c Base n.[F. base, L. basis, fr. Gr. ba°sis a stepping, step, a base, pedestal, fr. bai°nein to go, step, akin to E. come. Cf. Basis, and see Come.] 1. The bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue. "The base of mighty mountains." Prescott. 2. Fig.: The fundamental or essential part of a thing; the essential principle; a groundwork. 3. (Arch.) (a) The lower part of a wall, pier, or column, when treated as a separate feature, usually in projection, or especially ornamented. (b) The lower part of a complete architectural design, as of a monument; also, the lower part of any elaborate piece of furniture or decoration. 4. (Bot.) That extremity of a leaf, fruit, etc., at which it is attached to its support. 5. (Chem.) The positive, or non-acid component of a salt; a substance which, combined with an acid, neutralizes the latter and forms a salt; -- applied also to the hydroxides of the positive elements or radi Base (bs), v. t.[imp. & p. p.Based (bsd); p. pr. & vb. n.Basing.] [From Base, n.] To put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to found, as an argument or conclusion; -- used with on or upon. Bacon. Base v. t.[See Base, a., and cf. Abase.] 1. To abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower. [Obs.] If any . . . based his pike. Sir T. North. 2. To reduce the value of; to debase. [Obs.] Metals which we can not base. Bacon. スポンサード リンク
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