The term 'point of departure' is used to describe the beginning of something, such as a journey or a project. It can be referred to in four different ways: BASE (4 letters), ONSET (5 letters), START (5 letters), and SPRINGBOARD (11 letters). BASE refers to the most fundamental part of something, while ONSET is the START of something, usually in a gradual way. START is the point at which something begins, and SPRINGBOARD is a metaphor for a starting point that gives an advantage.