Noun
basis spline (plural basis splines)
(mathematics) A spline function that has minimal support with respect to a given degree, smoothness, and domain partition. Any spline function of given degree can be expressed as a linear combination of basis splines of that degree.
Synonym: B-spline
Basis splines can be used for curve-fitting and numerical differentiation of experimental data, and for shaping curves in computer-aided design.