An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

The base of a number system; thus 2 is the radix of the binary system, 10 the radix of the decimal system, 12 the radix of the duodecimal system.

From L. radix "root;" akin to Gk. rhiza "root;" cf. O.N. rot "root," O.E. wyrt "plant, herb;" E. radish.

Pâyé "basis, foundation; step," from pâ "foot, step" (from Mid.Pers. pâd, pây; Av. pad- "foot;" cf. Skt. pat; Gk. pos, genitive podos; L. pes, genitive pedis; P.Gmc. *fot; E. foot; Ger. Fuss; Fr. pied; PIE *pod-/*ped-).