βάσις [ ᾰ], εως, ἡ, (βαίνω)
1. stepping, step, and collectively, steps, A. Eu. 36, S. Aj. 8, etc.: metaph., ἡσύχῳ φρενῶν βάσει A. Ch. 452 (lyr.); οὐκ ἔχων β. power to step, S. Ph. 691 (lyr.); τροχῶν βάσεις the rolling of the wheels, the rolling wheels, Id. El. 718; ἀρβύλης β. the print of the sandal, E. El. 532; ποίμναις τήνδ’ ἐπεμπίπτει βάσιν S. Aj. 42.
2. measured stepor movement, β. χορείας Ar. Th. 968, cf. Pi. P. 1.2: hence, rhythmical or metrical movement, Pl. R. 399e, Lg. 670d: in Rhet., rhythmical close of a sentence, Hermog. Id. 1.6, al.; clause forming transition from πρότασις to ἀπόδοσις, Id. Inv. 1.5: and in Metric, metrical unit, monometer, Arist. Pol. 1263b35, Metaph. 1087b36, Heph. 11, Longin. Proll.Heph. 3, Mar. Vict. p.47.3 K., etc.
3. order, sequence, θέσις καὶ β. Epicur Ephesians 1 p.10U.
II that with which one steps, a foot, Pl. Ti. 92a, Arist. GA 750a4; ποδῶν β. E. Hec. 837; θηλύπους β. their women’s feet, Id. IA 421; β. δίχηλος, of the ostrich, D.S. 3.28.3: abs., αἱ βάσεις Ph. 1.226, [Act 3:7]; σφὶγξ εἶχε β. λέοντος Apollod. 3.5.8; leg, Id. 1.3.5; βάσεων ἀποκοπαί Diog.Oen. 39.
III
1. that whereon one stands, base, pedestal, [ κρατῆρος ] Alex. 119; of statues, OGI 705.6, etc.; τρία ἔργα.. ἐπὶ μιᾶς β. Str. 14.1.14, cf. Luc. Philops. 19; λεβήτων Plb. 5.88.5; of an engine, Hero Bel. 88.1, al.; of a column, PLond. 3.755v6 (iv A. D.): Medic., τοῦ ἐγκεφάλου Herophil. ap. Placit. 4.5.4, cf. Plu. Per. 6; τραχήλου Id. Pyrrh. 34; κοῖλαι βλεφάρων ἰοτυπεῖς βάσιες AP 5.86 (Rufin.); αἱ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς β. Sor. 1.27, cf. Archig. ap. Aët. 16.101(91); of the heart, Gal. UP 6.13; ἐπανόρθωσις τὴν τοῦ κενουμένου βάσιν ἀναπληροῦσα Id. 1.474; foundation, basement, ῥίζα πάντων καὶ β. ἁ γᾶ ἐρήρεισται Ti.Locr. 97e; so, of the soil, πεδίων σπορίμα β. Hymn.Isa 162.
2. Geom., base of a solid or plane figure, Pl. Ti. 55b, Arist. APr. 41b15,al.; [ κώνου ] Democr. 155; πυραμίδος Speus. ap. Theol.Ar. 63. position, fixedness, opp. φορά, etym. of βέβαιος, Pl. Cra. 437a. Astrol., = ὡροσκόπος, Vett.Val. 88.6, Paul.Al. T. 2, Cat.Cod.Astr. 8(4).132.