primarily: Public order is primarily an urban problem.
ba|sics /be I s I ks/
1 N‑PLURAL The basics of something are its simplest, most important elements, ideas, or principles, in contrast to more complicated or detailed ones. □ [+ of ] They will concentrate on teaching the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. □ A strong community cannot be built until the basics are in place. □ Let's get down to basics and stop horsing around.
2 N‑PLURAL Basics are things such as simple food, clothes, or equipment that people need in order to live or to deal with a particular situation. □ …supplies of basics such as bread and milk. □ [+ of ] …items that are the basics of a stylish wardrobe.
3 PHRASE If you talk about getting back to basics , you are suggesting that people have become too concerned with complicated details or new theories, and that they should concentrate on simple, important ideas or activities. □ The back-to-basics approach will tap into customers' yearning for a traditional bank.
ba |sic trai n|ing N‑UNCOUNT Basic training is the training that someone receives when they first join the armed forces.
bas|il /bæ z ə l, [AM ] be I z ə l/ N‑UNCOUNT Basil is a strong-smelling and strong-tasting herb that is used in cooking, especially with tomatoes.
ba|sili|ca /bəz I l I kə/ (basilicas ) N‑COUNT A basilica is a church which is rectangular in shape and has a rounded end.
ba|sin /be I s ə n/ (basins )
1 N‑COUNT A basin is a large or deep bowl that you use for holding liquids, or for mixing or storing food. □ Place the eggs and sugar in a large basin. □ …a pudding basin. ● N‑COUNT A basin of something such as water is an amount of it that is contained in a basin. □ [+ of ] We were given a basin of water to wash our hands in.
2 N‑COUNT A basin is the same as a washbasin . □ …a cast-iron bath with a matching basin and WC.
3 N‑COUNT [oft in names] The basin of a large river is the area of land around it from which streams run down into it. □ …the Amazon basin.
4 N‑COUNT [oft in names] In geography, a basin is a particular region of the world where the earth's surface is lower than in other places. [TECHNICAL ] □ …countries around the Pacific Basin.
5 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A basin is a partially enclosed area of deep water where boats or ships are kept.
ba|sis ◆◆◇ /be I s I s/ (bases /be I siːz/)
1 N‑SING [usu on N ] If something is done on a particular basis , it is done according to that method, system, or principle. □ We're going to be meeting there on a regular basis. □ They want all groups to be treated on an equal basis. □ I've always worked on the basis that any extra money would go into property.
2 N‑SING [on N , N that] If you say that you are acting on the basis of something, you are giving that as the reason for your action. □ [+ of ] McGregor must remain confined, on the basis of the medical reports we have received.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The basis of something is its starting point or an important part of it from which it can be further developed. □ [+ for ] Both factions have broadly agreed that the U.N. plan is a possible basis for negotiation. □ [+ of ] …the sub-atomic particles that form the basis of nearly all matter on earth.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The basis for something is a fact or argument that you can use to prove or justify it. □ …Japan's attempt to secure the legal basis to send troops overseas. □ This is a common fallacy which has no basis in fact. COLLOCATIONS basis NOUN 1
adjective + basis : annual, daily, hourly, monthly, weekly; interim, ongoing, permanent, temporary; full-time, part-time; case-by-case, first-come first-served; consistent, day-to-day, regular; voluntary
verb + basis : form, lay, provide
ba |sis point (basis points ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] In finance, a basis point is one hundredth of one per cent (.01%). [BUSINESS ]
bask /bɑː sk, bæ sk/ (basks , basking , basked )
1 VERB If you bask in the sunshine, you lie somewhere sunny and enjoy the heat. □ [V + in ] All through the hot, still days of their holiday Amy basked in the sun. □ [V ] Crocodiles bask on the small sandy beaches.
2 VERB If you bask in someone's approval, favour, or admiration, you greatly enjoy their positive reaction towards you. □ [V + in ] He has spent a month basking in the adulation of the fans back in Jamaica.
bas|ket /bɑː sk I t, bæ s-/ (baskets )
1 N‑COUNT A basket is a stiff container that is used for carrying or storing objects. Baskets are made from thin strips of materials such as straw, plastic, or wire woven together. □ …big wicker picnic baskets filled with sandwiches. □ …a laundry basket. ● N‑COUNT A basket of things is a number of things contained in a basket. □ [+ of ] …a small basket of fruit and snacks.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] In economics, a basket of currencies or goods is the average or total value of a number of different currencies or goods. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] The pound's value against a basket of currencies hit a new low of 76.9.
3 N‑COUNT In basketball, the basket is a net hanging from a ring through which players try to throw the ball in order to score points. A basket is also the point scored when the ball is thrown through the ring.
4 → see also bread basket , hanging basket , wastepaper basket