BASE
adjective
Synonyms
Dishonorable; worthless; ignoble; low-minded; infamous; sordid; degraded. Base, Vile, Mean. These words, as expressing moral qualities, are here arranged in the order of their strength, the strongest being placed first. Base marks a high degree of moral turpitude; vile and mean denote, in different degrees, the want of what is valuable or worthy of esteem. What is base excites our abhorrence; what is vile provokes our disgust or indignation; what is mean awakens contempt. Base is opposed to high-minded; vile, to noble; mean, to liberal or generous. Ingratitude is base; sycophancy is vile; undue compliances are mean.
Definitions
- 1. Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs. [Archaic] Shak.
- 2. Low in place or position. [Obs.] Shak.
- 3. Of humble birth; or low degree; lowly; mean. [Archaic] "A pleasant and base swain." Bacon.
- 4. Illegitimate by birth; bastard. [Archaic] Why bastard wherefore base Shak.
- 5. Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals.
- 6. Alloyed with inferior metal; debased; as, base coin; base bullion.
- 7. Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations. "A cruel act of a base and a cowardish mind." Robynson (More's Utopia). "Base ingratitude." Milton.
- 8. Not classical or correct. "Base Latin." Fuller.
- 9. Deep or grave in sound; as, the base tone of a violin. [In this sense, commonly written bass.]
- 10. Not held by honorable service; as, a base estate, one held by services not honorable; held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant. Base fee, formerly, an estate held at the will of the lord; now, a qualified fee. See note under Fee, n., 4. -- Base metal. See under Metal.
Other Definitions
This word also has 2 other definitions:
BASE
(noun)
1. The bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue. "The bas...
BASE
(verb)
To put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to found, as an argument or conclusion; -- used with on or upon. Bacon.
Added: October 09, 2025
Updated: October 09, 2025
