1.a starting-point, esp. in war, a base of operations, Thuc.:—also a place of safety, Eur.
2.generally, a starting-point, the origin, occasion or pretext of a thing, id=Eur.; ἀφορμὴν παρέχειν, διδόναι to give occasion, Dem.
3.the means with which one begins a thing, resources, Xen., Dem.; ἀφ. ἔργων means for undertaking works, Xen.
4.the capital of a banker, id=Xen., Dem.