- base
- IadjLow in place or position; inferior; servile; of subordinate degree; impure, adulterated, or alloyed@ base animalSee animal@ base bullionBase silver bullion is silver in bars mixed to a greater or less extent with alloys or base materials@ base coinDebased, adulterated, or alloyed coin (e.g. copper, nickel) as distinguished from silver or gold@ base courtIn old English law, an inferior court, that is, not of record, as the court baron@ base estateThe estate which "base tenants" (q.v.) have in their land@ base feeOne that may last forever if the contingency does not happen, but debased because its duration depends upon collateral circumstances which qualify it; sometimes called a conditional, determinable, or qualified fee.In old English law, an estate or fee which has a qualification subjoined thereto, and which must be determined whenever the qualification annexed to it is at an end. Scobey v. Beckman, 111 Ind.App. 574, 41 N.E.2d 847, 850+ base feeA determinable or qualified fee; an estate having the nature of a fee, but not a fee simple absolute.@ base servicesIn feudal law, such services as were unworthy to be performed by the nobler men, and were performed by the peasants and those of servile rank. 2 Bl.Comm. 62@ base tenantsTenants who performed to their lords services in villeinage; tenants who held at the will of the lord, as distinguished from frank tenants, or freeholders@ base tenureA tenure by villeinage, or other customary service, as distinguished from tenure by military service; or from tenure by free serviceIIbase, nounBottom, foundation, groundwork, that on which a thing rests. The locality on which a military or naval force relies for supplies or from which it initiates operations; e.g. air base; military base; marine base; naval base; submarine base@ base lineSurvey line used in the government survey to establish township lines. Horizontal elevation line used as centerline in a highway survey@ base payWages, exclusive of overtime, bonuses, etc@
Black's law dictionary. HENRY CAMPBELL BLACK, M. A.. 1990.