baseline

[beys-lahyn] /ˈbeɪsˌlaɪn/
noun, Also, base line
1.
Baseball. the area between bases within which a base runner must keep when running from one base to another.
2.
Tennis. the line at each end of a tennis court, parallel to the net, that marks the in-bounds limit of play.
3.
(in perspective drawing) a horizontal line in the immediate foreground formed by the intersection of the ground plane and the picture plane.
4.
a basic standard or level; guideline:
to establish a baseline for future studies.
5.
a specific value or values that can serve as a comparison or control.
6.
Typography. the imaginary line on which the bottoms of primary letters align.
7.
Surveying, See under triangulation (def 1).
8.
Electronics. a horizontal or vertical line formed on the face of a cathode-ray tube by the sweep of the scanning dot.
9.
Naval Architecture. a line on the body plan or sheer plan of a hull, representing a horizontal reference plane for vertical dimensions.
adjective
10.
basic or essential.
Origin
1740-50; base1 + line1
Examples from the web for baseline
  • With every download of data, the time baseline of the light curves is extended.
  • Each accomplishment only lifts one up to a new baseline of expectations.
  • Take a star's position on dates separated by half a year, and you get the widest possible baseline.
  • The baseline species counts established by the census have already come in handy.
  • Carlson's suggestion for baseline grants is one of many solutions that have been considered.
  • Scientists had virtually no baseline information on the wildlife in the area.
  • The baseline should be professional, pleasant interaction on your part.
  • His initial field data provided critical baseline information about wildlife populations, distribution, and the war's impact.
  • Gun-toting government agents enforced the legislated baseline of mediocrity.
  • So-called information gain and travel utility increase the farther you get from home and from your baseline comfort level.
British Dictionary definitions for baseline

baseline

/ˈbeɪsˌlaɪn/
noun
1.
(surveying) a measured line through a survey area from which triangulations are made
2.
an imaginary line, standard of value, etc, by which things are measured or compared
3.
a line at each end of a tennis court that marks the limit of play
Word Origin and History for baseline
n.

also base-line, 1750, originally in surveying, from base (n.) + line (n.). Baseball diamond sense is from 1867. Baseline estimate in use by 1983.

baseline in Technology


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