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"base" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often basis (5 letters).
Definitions
Foundation or starting point
Word origin
From Middle English base, bas, baas, from Old French base, from Latin basis, from Ancient Greek βάσις (básis). Doublet of basis and bass.
Used in a sentence
“The logarithm to base 2 of 8 is 3.”
“The trebles squeak for fear, the bases roar.”
“[…] with flowers of gold, the body lined with velvet, and the bases, or skirts, with satin; also a frock of black satin, lined with sarcenet, having three welts of the same.”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer16 curated clues
01“Bottom layer”4 letters
02“Foundation”4 letters
03“Foundation layer”4 letters
04“Foundation of a structure”4 letters
05“Foundation part”4 letters
06“Home plate area”4 letters
07“Home plate, for one”4 letters
08“Lower support”4 letters
09“Lowest supporting part”4 letters
10“Military post”4 letters
11“Runner's diamond stop”4 letters
12“Starting point in tag”4 letters
13“Starting point or support”4 letters
14“Support for a lamp”4 letters
15“Support under a statue”4 letters
16“Bottom support”4 letters
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