Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “basis” come from?

Basis derives from Latin basis, meaning "foundation" or "step," the source of the English word base.

basis (English): A physical base or foundation; A starting point,...

Definitions

  1. A physical base or foundation; A starting point,...

Ancestry of “basis”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinbasisA pedestal, foot, base; basis, foundation; The...
2Ancient Greekβάσιςstep; rhythm; foot
3Proto-Hellenicgʷə́tisstep
4Proto-Indo-Europeangʷémtisstep, act of walking
5Proto-Indo-Europeangʷem-to step

Words derived from “basis”

  • bases
  • eigenbasis
  • subbasis
  • basiswise
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷem- →