1570s, "bottom or foundation" (of something material), from Latin basis "foundation," from Greek basis "a going, a step; a stand, base, that whereon one stands," from bainein "to go, walk, step," from PIE root *gwa- "to go, come." Transferred and figurative senses (of immaterial things) are from c. 1600.
he worked on an interim basis
the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
the basis of this drink is orange juice
Basil
basilica
basilisk
basin
basinet
basis
bask
Baskerville
basket
basket case
basketball