basement

& a. [Eng. base; -ment.] A. As substantive: 1. Ord. Lang. & Med. The lowest, outermost, or most fundamental part of a structure; that above or outside of which anything ts reared. the homogeneous simple membrane which forms the basement of the skin and mucous membrane." Todd & Bowman: Physiol. Anat., vol. 1, ch. i, p. 50. "He soone approched, panting, breathle e, whot, And all so soyld that none could him descry: His countenaunce was bold, and bashed not For Guyons lookes, but scornofull eyeglaunce at him shot." Spenser: F. Q., II. 1v. 37. IMG:content-1094.png:[blocks in formation]