General term for the underlying support or fundamental part of something, often used in abstract or formal contexts.
In linear algebra, a set of linearly independent vectors that span a vector space.
base (topology); basis (topology)
In topology, a collection of open sets such that every open set can be written as a union of members of the collection.
At the base of this theory lies free thinking.
Education is what supports the foundation of society.
Find a basis for the vector space.
Define a base for the system of open sets.
basal ganglia; basal nuclei
basic solution
base structure; underlying structure
ground state
base component; foundational part
Compound of 基 (base, foundation) and 底 (bottom, base). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in both general and mathematical senses since the early 20th century.