basis English · revision 2984

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1532|origins=grc βάσις}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbeɪ.sɪs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|basis|t=foundation]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[grc|βάσις|tr=básis|t=a going, a step; a stand, base]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|grc|βαίνω|tr=baínō|t=to go, walk, step]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*gwa-|t=to go, come]],^(Etymonline) so that it is related to Latin venīre and English [[come]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) It is a doublet of [[base]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The base of a pillar: 1532 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The general sense, the bottom of something on which it rests, is from 1571,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and the 1570s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates it to the 14th century.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The OED notes that the literal senses are now rare, ''base'' being used instead.^(OED 1989) The figurative senses, of immaterial things, are from about 1600:^(Etymonline) the main ingredient of something from 1601,^(OED 1989) and the foundation or principle on which something rests from 1605.^(OED 1989) In botany and zoology the part of an organ attached to its support is the ''basis'' from 1615.^(OED 1989) The plural is ''bases''.^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1532 – the base of a pillar.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1571 – the bottom, foundation.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1601 – the main ingredient.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1605 – a foundation of ideas.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1615 – in botany and zoology.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[foundation]] on which something rests.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The main ingredient or part.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The underlying [[principle]] or reason: ''on the basis of the evidence''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A way or system: ''on a weekly basis''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[basic]]

+ * [[basis point]]

+ * [[cash basis]]

+ * [[accrual basis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[base]]

+ * [[come]]

+ * [[acrobat]]

+ * [[diabetes]]

+ * [[venue]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}