3. The ground work the first or fundamental principle; that which supports. The basis of public credit is good faith. A. Hamilton.
4. The principal component part of a thing.
BASISOLUTE
Ba*sis"o*lute, a. Etym: [Basi- + solute, a.] (Bot.)
Defn: Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves.
BASISPHENOID; BASISPHENOIDAL
Ba`si*sphe"noid, Ba`si*sphe*noid"al, a. Etym: [Basi- + spheroid.]
(Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to that part of the base of the cranium between the basioccipital and the presphenoid, which usually ossifies separately in the embryo or in the young, and becomes a part of the sphenoid in the adult.
BASISPHENOID
Ba`si*sphe"noid, n. (Anat.)
Defn: The basisphenoid bone.
BASK
Bask, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Basked (p. pr. & vb. n. Basking.] Etym: [
OScand. ba to bathe one's self, or perh. bakask to bake one's self,
sk being reflexive. See Bath, n., Bake, v. t.]
Defn: To lie in warmth; to be exposed to genial heat.
Basks in the glare, and stems the tepid wave. Goldsmith.