Base Means Foundation and Also Low
A base is a foundation or starting point. A separate adjective base means morally low, from the same Latin word.
A base is the bottom or foundation of something, and also a starting point or headquarters. The adjective *base*, meaning contemptible or morally low, comes from the same Latin *bassus*, low — the physical sense produced a moral one, exactly as *high-minded* and *lofty* work in the other direction. In chemistry a base is the opposite of an acid, and *bass*, the low musical range, is the same Latin word spelled differently.
- A foundation. *The base of the column.*
- A headquarters. *A military base.*
- Morally low. *Base motives.*
- The opposite of acid. *An alkali base.*
- Latin — *bassus*, low. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | base | The base. |
| Verb | base | Base it on. |
| Adjective | base | Base motives. |
| Adjective | basic | Basic. |
| Related | bass | Bass. |
- The statue rests on a stone base.Foundation.
- He acted from base motives.Moral.
- A base neutralises an acid.Chemistry.
High and low as moral words
- Base — physically low, then morally contemptible
- Lofty — physically high, then noble
- High-minded — the same upward image
- Underhand — done low down, hence dishonest
- Uplifting — raising the spirits
Old French *bas*, low, from Late Latin *bassus*, low or short.
Are the noun and adjective base related?
Yes. Both come from Latin bassus, low. The physical sense gave the foundation, and the moral sense followed from lowness.
Is bass the same word?
Yes, for the low musical range. The fish called a bass is unrelated.