Fun with word origins

I buy reference books like there's no tomorrow and I picked up a word history book today for the low, low price of $2.25. Being an Acer, of course, Ace and Base have to be the first words I look up.

Ace: Came into use during Middle English. An 'ace' denoted the one on dice in Middle English; it comes via Old French from Latin as 'unity, a unit'. It is often ranked as the highest value in a suit of playing cards, and the associated worth and 'excellence' are transferred to many uses and contexts, e.g: he served an ace, a motorcycle ace, Ace! You've done it! it wasn't our intention to ace Phil out of a job (North American sense of 'outdo').

Can we ace Lasse out of a job?

Base: Came into use during Middle English. Base as the bottom or foundation of something comes from Old French, itself via Latin basis 'base, pedestal' from Greek. In English in the late 16th centure basis denoted a base or pedestal, reflecting the Latin. The Greek root means, literally 'stepping', therefore giving a notion of 'something on which one steps or stands'. Base is also an element of the adjective basic 'forming an essential foundation'.

We better thank the French for picking these words up from Latin, huh? Then, we'd have to thank the Normans for invading England and winning the Battle of Hastings. See, history is important. Without the influence, AOB could still be called CAD. The members would then be known as Cads and we'd be Caddies or Cadets. I think I'll stick with Ace and Acer. Thank you France! ;o)