1. n. & adj.
--n.
1. a the lowest adult male singing voice. b a singer with this voice. c a part written for it.
2 the lowest part in harmonized music.
3 a an instrument that is the lowest in pitch in its family. b its player.
4 colloq. a a bass guitar or double-bass. b its player.
5 the low-frequency output of a radio, record-player, etc., corresponding to the bass in music.
--adj.
1. lowest in musical pitch.
2 deep-sounding.
Phrases and idioms:
bass clef a clef placing F below middle C on the second highest line of the staff. bass viol
1. a a viola da gamba. b its player.
2 US a double-bass.
Derivatives:
bassist n. (in sense 4).
Etymology: alt. of BASE(2) after It. basso 2. n. (pl. same or basses)
1. the common perch.
2 a a marine fish of the family Serranidae, with spiny fins. b a similar N. American marine fish, Morone saxatilis.
3 any of various American freshwater fish, esp. Micropterus salmoides.
Etymology: earlier barse f. OE b{aelig}rs 3. n. BAST.
Etymology: alt. f. BAST