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Relating to, or forming, the base. Basal cleavage. See under Cleavage. -- Basal plane (Crystallog.), one parallel to the lateral or horizontal axis.

Having the nerves radiating from the base; -- said of leaves.

An imitation, in pottery, of natural basalt; a kind of black porcelain.

Pertaining to basalt; formed of, or containing, basalt; as basaltic lava.

In the form of basalt; columnar.

Formed like basalt; basaltiform.

Same as Basil, a sheepskin.

Lydian stone, or black jasper, a variety of siliceous or flinty slate, of a grayish or bluish black color. It is employed to test the purity of gold, the amount of alloy being indicated by the color left on the stone when rubbed by the metal.

A bluestocking; a literary woman. [Somewhat derisive]

A light helmet, at first open, but later made with a visor. [Written also basinet, bassinet, basnet.]

In mechanics an apparatus on the principle of the seesaw, in which one end rises as the other falls. Bascule bridge, a counterpoise or balanced drawbridge, which is opened by sinking the counterpoise and thus lifting the footway into the air.

Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs. [Archaic] Shak.

See Bass viol.

ce or stove in which the fuel is contained in a hopper or chamber, and is fed to the fire as the lower stratum is consumed.

The secondary, inferior, or rear courtyard of a large house; the outer court of a castle.

A game of ball, so called from the bases or bounds ( four in number) which designate the circuit which each player must endeavor to make after striking the ball.

, or other woodwork, carried round the walls of a room and touching the floor, to form a base and protect the plastering; -- also called washboard (in England), mopboard, and scrubboard.

Vile; mean. "Thy baseborn heart." Shak.

Having a base, or having as a base; supported; as, broad-based.

A disease characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, prominence of the eyeballs, and inordinate action of the heart; -- called also exophthalmic goiter. Flint.