base

Where operations begin

Base is a busy word, representing a noun and a verb, and a separately derived adjective.

The base of a concrete object is the part upon which it stands; the base of something abstract is the thing it depends on – its foundation: We need to broaden our base of support.

The main ingredient in a mixture is called the base: The sauce has a cream base.

When one thing is based on another, the first depends on or arises from the second: What is your argument based on? Based on what I heard, I’d say she’s guilty.

The adjective base means low in place, position, or character: We believe his motives were base.

spatial
bottom
Lowest point or underside
footLeg's lowest part
lowerReduce or move downward
underneathIn position below
underside · ground · floor · lowest · supporting · pedestal · stand · mount · rest · platform

foundation
concrete
Solid building mixture
footingSecure ground position
bedrockSolid stone underground
groundworkFoundational preparation for something
cornerstone · substructure · underpinning · support · framework · anchor · substrate · plinth · pedestal · slab

fundamental
foundation
Underlying support structure
startingInitiating an action
essentialFundamentally necessary
coreCentral essential portion
underlying · primary · root · origin · premise · groundwork · rudimentary · elementary · central · principal

linguistic
root
Underground absorbing structure
stemPlant's central axis
morphemeSmallest meaningful language unit
affixWord-part modifier
derivation · etymology · word · form · radical · combining · bound · lexical

chemical
alkali
Acid-neutralizing ionic compound
alkalineHaving high pH
pHMeasure of solution acidity
neutralizationCanceling opposing forces
hydroxide · caustic · litmus · buffer · titration · acidic · indicator · solution · reactive · corrosive

military
camp
Temporary outdoor shelter site
fortDefensive military installation
garrisonStationed military force
barracksSoldiers' residential building
headquarters · outpost · installation · depot · airfield · compound · encampment · station · bunker · armory

numeric
radix
Numerical system's base
decimalTenths-based notation
binaryConsisting of two parts
hexadecimalSixteen-digit numeral system
octal · logarithm · exponent · notation · numeral · positional · conversion · digit

moral
low
Not elevated
ignobleLacking moral character
vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
sordidMorally foul or base
contemptible · instincts · motives · degraded

baseball
diamond
Crystallized carbon gemstone
runnerOne who sprints
stealingUnlawful taking of property
slidingMoving smoothly across surface
basepath · first · second · third · infield · tag · safe · coach · loaded · hit

Categories
chemistry labbeaker, flask, test tube, pipette, burner
sculpturestatue, sculpture, sculptor, sculpting, bronze
"Low" meaningsbottom, ground, floor, valley, pit
capture the flagflag, team, jail, territory, flag carrier
estruturaschassis
getting startedgetting started, start, begin, first steps, basics

Opposites
vertical position/structure
basetop
Uppermost part or surface
apex · summit · peak · pinnacle · vertex
moral character
basenoble
Titled or virtuous
honorable · virtuous · high-minded · upright · moral
organizational hierarchy
basebranch
Division or woody limb
annex · satellite · outpost · subsidiary · extension

Phrases
based onHaving as source
home baseCentral point of operations
first baseDiamond's rightfield corner bag
second baseMiddle infield bag
off baseInaccurate or mistaken
third baseInfield position near home

Family
basic, basis, basement, based, bases, debase, baseless, abase, basing

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G