basis
Americannoun
plural
bases-
the bottom or base of anything; the part on which something stands or rests.
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anything upon which something is based; fundamental principle; groundwork.
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the principal constituent; fundamental ingredient.
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a basic fact, amount, standard, etc., used in making computations, reaching conclusions, or the like.
The nurse is paid on an hourly basis. He was chosen on the basis of his college grades.
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Mathematics. a set of linearly independent elements of a given vector space having the property that every element of the space can be written as a linear combination of the elements of the set.
noun
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something that underlies, supports, or is essential to something else, esp an abstract idea
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a principle on which something depends or from which something has issued
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maths (of a vector space) a maximal set of linearly independent vectors, in terms of which all the elements of the space are uniquely expressible, and the number of which is the dimension of the space
the vectors x, y and z form a basis of the 3-dimensional space all members of which can be written as ax + by + cz
plural
basesUsage
Plural word for basis The plural form of basis is bases, pronounced [ bey-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in this way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, crisis/crises, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices.Irregular plurals that are formed like bases derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek.
Related Words
See base 1.
Etymology
Origin of basis
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin, from Greek básis “step, place one stands on, pedestal,” from ba(ínein) “to walk, step” ( come ) + -sis -sis; base 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Other stock markets within the Americas will also benefit, on a relative basis, since they will benefit from locally produced oil supplies and remain far from the conflict itself.
From Barron's
Those are widely viewed as forever stocks by Berkshire watchers, due in part to a superlow cost basis.
From Barron's
“It’s been so fun to see contestants enjoying smoked salmon on a daily basis… Anytime smoked salmon becomes part of the cultural conversation, it’s a win for the category.”
From Salon
If those same assets were in your estate, your beneficiaries will receive a step-up in basis on any assets they inherit.
From Barron's
Grynspan, an economist, is not looking to be chosen on that basis.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
