Search the Dictionary

e above; to excel; to outgo; to surpass. Topping all others in boasting. Shak. Edmund the base shall top the legitimate. Shak.

A name of a place; more broadly, a name, as in the binomial name of a plant, based on, or derived from, a place name, or based on the location of the thing named.

A lage molding used in the bases of columns. Its profile is semicircular. See Illust. of Molding. Brande&C.

of gastropods comprising all those which have a spiral shell and the foot attached to the base of the neck.

ystem of faith founded on tradition; esp., the doctrine that all religious faith is to be based solely upon what is delivered from competent authority, exclusive of rational processes.

ng the form and manner of them [prayers], to bring them into contempt. Hooker. He had the baseness . . . to traduce me in libel. Dryden.

theory of life; transformism. Bacon. Transmutation of metals (Alchem.), the conversion of base metals into gold or silver, a process often attempted by the alchemists. See Alchemy, and Philosopher's stone, under Philosopher.

To change; to transform; to invert. [R.] Things base and vile, holding no quantity, Love can transpose to form and dignity. Shak.

A bone of the carpus at the base of the first metacarpal, or thumb.

A bone of the carpus at the base of the second metacarpal, or index finger.

Specifically, ornaments to be put on horses. Caparisons and steeds, Bases and tinsel trappings. Milton.

The third tine above the base of a stag's antler; the royal antler.

In the antler of a stag, the third tyne above the base. This tyne appears in the third year. In those deer in which the brow tyne does not divide, the tres-tyne is the second tyne above the base. See Illust. under Rucervine, and under Rusine.

he equivalent; having three hydrogen atoms which may be acid radicals; -- said of certain bases; thus, glycerin is a triacid base.

Capable of neutralizing three molecules of a monacid base, or their equivalent; having three hydrogen atoms capable of replacement by basic elements on radicals; -- said of certain acids; thus, citric acid is a tribasic acid.

Three-ribbed; having three ribs from the base.

Having three fingers or toes, or composed of three movable parts attached to a common base.

ous hydrocarbon, C3H6, isomeric with propylene and obtained from it indirectly. It is the base of a series of compounds analogous to the aromatic hydrocarbons.

Having three ribs or nerves extending unbranched from the base to the apex; -- said of a leaf. Gray.

Divided nearly to the base into three segments or lobes.