basement English · revision 7225

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=derivation|attested=1610}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbeɪsmənt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably formed from [[base]] and [[-ment]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) perhaps influenced by French [[m|fr|soubassement|t=substructure]].^(Barnhart 1988) Hoad, NODE and SOED instead derive it from obsolete Dutch basement, foundation (West Flemish bazement), perhaps from Italian [[m|it|basamento|t=base of a column]].^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The lowest storey of a building, wholly or partly underground: 1730.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) MWU dates it to 1610.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The lowest part of any structure, as of a column or a geological formation, is from 1793,^(OED 1989) and figuratively a groundwork from 1818.^(OED 1989) The action of basing or being based is from 1836.^(OED 1989) SOED records the compound ''bargain basement''.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1610 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1730 – the lowest storey.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1793 – the lowest part of a structure.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1818 – a groundwork (figurative).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A storey of a building that is partly or entirely below ground level; a [[cellar]].^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # The lowest part or [[foundation]] of a structure.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[basementless]]

+ * [[semibasement]]

+ * [[subbasement]]

+ * [[bargain-basement]]

+ * [[basement membrane]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[base]]

+ * [[bass]]

+ * [[abase]]

+ * [[debase]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}