- base
- [[t]be͟ɪs[/t]]
♦1) N-COUNT: usu the N of n The base of something is its lowest edge or part.
There was a cycle path running along this side of the wall, right at its base...
Line the base and sides of a 20cm deep round cake tin with paper.
Syn:Ant:2) N-COUNT: usu the N of n The base of something is the lowest part of it, where it is attached to something else.The surgeon placed catheters through the veins and arteries near the base of the head.
3) N-COUNT: usu with poss The base of an object such as a box or vase is the lower surface of it that touches the surface it rests on.Remove from the heat and plunge the base of the pan into a bowl of very cold water.
Syn:bottom, underneath4) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft n N The base of an object that has several sections and that rests on a surface is the lower section of it.The mattress is best on a solid bed base...
The clock stands on an oval marble base, enclosed by a glass dome.
5) N-COUNT: usu with supp A base is a layer of something which will have another layer added to it.Spoon the mixture on to the biscuit base and cook in a pre-heated oven...
On many modern wooden boats, epoxy coatings will have been used as a base for varnishing.
6) N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp A position or thing that is a base for something is one from which that thing can be developed or achieved.The post will give him a powerful political base from which to challenge the Kremlin...
The family base was crucial to my development.
Syn:basis, foundation7) VERB If you base one thing on another thing, the first thing develops from the second thing.[V n on/upon n] He based his conclusions on the evidence given by the captured prisoners.
Syn:Derived words:based ADJ v-link ADJ on nThree of the new products are based on traditional herbal medicines...
The figures are based upon average market prices.
8) N-COUNT: usu supp N A military base is a place which part of the armed forces works from.Gunfire was heard at an army base close to the airport...
Lauren Long works in the Air Force motor pool on a massive air base in eastern Saudi Arabia.
9) N-COUNT: usu poss N Your base is the main place where you work, stay, or live.For most of the spring and early summer her base was her home in Scotland.
10) N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N prep If a place is a base for a certain activity, the activity can be carried out at that place or from that place.The two hotel-restaurants are attractive bases from which to explore southeast Tuscany...
Los Angeles was still my financial base. I was still doing business there.
11) N-COUNT The base of a substance such as paint or food is the main ingredient of it, to which other substances can be added.Just before cooking, drain off any excess marinade and use it as a base for a pouring sauce...
Oils may be mixed with a base oil and massaged into the skin.
12) N-COUNT: also N num A base is a system of counting and expressing numbers. The decimal system uses base 10, and the binary system uses base 2.13) N-COUNT A base in baseball, softball, or rounders is one of the places at each corner of the square on the pitch.14) ADJ-GRADED Base behaviour is behaviour that is immoral or dishonest. [LITERARY]Love has the power to overcome the baser emotions.
15) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you say that someone is off base, you mean that they are wrong. [mainly AM, INFORMAL]Am I wrong? Am I way off base? Because I want you to set me straight if you think I'm wrong.
16) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR with n If you communicate with someone, especially someone you have not communicated with recently, you can say that you touch base with them. [INFORMAL]Being there gave me a chance to touch base with three friends whom I had not seen for a year.
17) PHRASE If someone touches all the bases or covers the bases, they deal with everyone or everything involved in a situation. [INFORMAL]He has managed to touch all the bases necessary, and trade goes on...
The boss covers all bases when he sets up a job.
English dictionary. 2008.
