base

³base

adj

Definition of BASE

1

archaic : of little height

2

obsolete : low in place or position

3

obsolete : bass

4

archaic : baseborn

5

a : resembling a villein : servile <a base tenant> b : held by villenage <base tenure>

6

a : being of comparatively low value and having relatively inferior properties (as lack of resistance to corrosion) <a base metal such as iron> — compare noble b : containing a larger than usual proportion of base metals <base silver denarii>

7

a : lacking or indicating the lack of higher qualities of mind or spirit : ignoble b : lacking higher values : degrading <a drab base way of life>

— base·ly adverb

— base·ness noun

Examples of BASE

1. Iron is a base metal.
2. <a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law>

Origin of BASE

Middle English bas, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bassus fat, short, low

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BASE

Synonyms: ignoble, contemptible, currish, despicable, detestable, dirty, dishonorable, execrable, ignominious, low, low-down, low-minded, mean, nasty, paltry, snide, sordid, vile, wretched

Antonyms: high, high-minded, honorable, lofty, noble, straight, upright, venerable, virtuous

Related Words: bad, black, evil, foul, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, wicked, wrong; cruel, vicious; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible; corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, perverted; atrocious, villainous; unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous; discreditable, disgraceful, disreputable, shameful, unworthy

Near Antonyms: ethical, honest, just, principled, righteous, right-minded, scrupulous; commendable, excellent, exemplary, good, moral, right; decent, proper, reputable, respectable, seemly; blameless, guiltless; incorruptible, irreproachable; uncorrupted, unerring

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Synonym Discussion of BASE

base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values. base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness <base motives>. low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety <refused to listen to such low talk>. vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth <a vile remark>.