base

/ˈbās/

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin basis, from Greek, step, base, from bainein to go

noun

  1. the bottom of something considered as its support : foundation

  2. that part of a bodily organ by which it is attached to another more central structure of the organism

  3. the lower part of a wall, pier, or column considered as a separate architectural feature

the base of the mountain

the base of the thumb

verb

  1. to find a foundation or basis for : to find a base for —usually used with on or upon

  2. to make, form, or serve as a base for

adjective

  1. lacking or indicating the lack of higher qualities of mind or spirit : ignoble

  2. lacking higher values : degrading

  3. being of comparatively low value and having relatively inferior properties (such as lack of resistance to corrosion)

seemed a base betrayal of idealism

a drab base way of life

base low vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values. base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness. low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.