Where does “basal” come from?
Basal comes from English base, from Latin basis meaning "foundation" or "pedestal," ultimately tracing back through multiple English transmissions of the same root.
basal (English): Basic, elementary; relating to, or forming, the...
Definitions
- Basic, elementary; relating to, or forming, the...
Ancestry of “basal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Base | Something from which other things extend; a foundation |
| 2 | Middle English | base | A foundation or base; the bottom of a building;... |
| 3 | Old French | base | base bottom part; supporting part |
| 4 | Latin | basis | A pedestal, foot, base; basis, foundation; The... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | βάσις | step; rhythm; foot |
| 6 | Proto-Hellenic | gʷə́tis | step |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷémtis | step, act of walking |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷem- | to step |