baseless

the adjective "baseless" is a transparent english formation, combining the noun "base" with the privative suffix "-less." the word "base" entered english via old french from latin "basis," which itself originates from greek "βάσις" (basis), meaning "step, pedestal, foundation," derived from the verb "βαίνειν" (bainein), "to go, to step." the greek concept of a "step" as a point of support evolved into the latin and later english sense of a "foundation" or "underlying principle." the suffix "-less" is of germanic origin, from proto-germanic -lausaz, meaning "free from, without." therefore, the literal construction "without a foundation" perfectly captures the modern abstract meaning of an assertion being unfounded and lacking substantive support.