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"basis" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often groundwork (10 letters).
Definitions
the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained
Word origin
From Latin basis, from Ancient Greek βάσις (básis), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷémtis, derived from Proto-Indo-European *gʷem- (whence also come). Doublet of base.
Used in a sentence
“We see here the ground-plan of masses of houses, with their upper walls of fire-baked brick on a basis of stone.”
“I wonder if the South Korean side has any basis that its smog is from China.”
“You should brush your teeth on a daily basis at minimum.”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer1 curated clues
01“Base”5 letters
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