bass

English

 Bass (disambiguation) on Wikipedia

Etymology 1

A respelling of base under the influence of Italian basso (“low”).

Alternative forms

• (noun): base (dated)

Pronunciation

• enPR: bās, IPA^(key): /beɪs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪs
• Homophone: base

Adjective

bass (comparative basser, superlative bassest)

1. Of sound, a voice or an instrument, low in pitch or frequency.

   The giant spoke in a deep, bass, rumbling voice that shook me to my boots.

Translations

Noun

bass (plural basses)

1. A low spectrum of sound tones.

   Peter adjusted the equalizer on his audio equipment to emphasize the bass.

2. A section of musical group that produces low-pitched sound, lower than the baritone and tenor.

   The conductor preferred to situate the bass in the middle rear, rather than to one side of the orchestra.

3. One who sings in the bass range.

   Halfway through middle school, Edgar morphed from a soprano to a bass, much to the amazement and amusement of his fellow choristers.

4. (music) An instrument that plays in the bass range, in particular a double bass, bass guitar, electric bass or bass synthesiser.

   The musician swung the bass over his head like an axe and smashed it into the amplifier, creating a discordant howl of noise.

5. The clef sign that indicates that the pitch of the notes is below middle C; a bass clef.

   The score had been written without the treble and bass, but it was easy to pick out which was which based on the location of the notes on the staff.

Synonyms

• (singer): basso
• (clef): F clef

Coordinate terms

• (voice types): soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto (female); countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass (male)
• (music) SATB (Initialism of soprano, alto, tenor, bass.)

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

bass (third-person singular simple present basses, present participle bassing, simple past and past participle bassed)

1. To sound in a deep tone.
   • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, , lines 99-99:

     […] and the Thunder
     (That deepe and dreadfull Organ-Pipe) pronounc'd
     The name of Proſper : it did baſe my Treſpaſſe

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English bace, bas, alteration of bars, from Old English bærs (“a fish, perch”), from Proto-West Germanic *bars, from Proto-Germanic *barsaz (“perch”, literally “prickly”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰórsos (“prickle, thorn, scale”). Cognate with Dutch baars (“perch, bass”), German Barsch (“perch”). More at barse.

Alternative forms

• basse (archaic)

Pronunciation

• enPR: băs, IPA^(key): /bæs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -æs
• Homophone: Bass

Noun

bass (countable and uncountable, plural basses or bass)

2. The perch; any of various marine and freshwater fish resembling the perch, all within the order of Perciformes.

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology 3

A corruption of bast.

Pronunciation

• enPR: băs, IPA^(key): /bæs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -æs

Noun

bass (countable and uncountable, plural basses)

1. The fibrous inner bark of the linden or lime tree, used for making mats.
2. Fibers from other plants, especially palm trees
3. Anything made from such fibers, such as a hassock, basket or thick mat.