I. ˈbas, -aa(ə)-, -ai- sometimes in NE -ȧ- noun
( plural bass or basses )
Etymology: Middle English bace, base, alteration of Old English bærs; akin to Middle High German bars perch, Old English byrst bristle — more at bristle
1.
a. : a European perch ( Perca fluviatilis )
b. : any of numerous edible spiny-finned freshwater and marine fishes especially of the families Centrarchidae and Serranidae — see sea bass , black bass , channel bass , kelp bass , sand bass , striped bass , white bass
2. : the flesh of any bass used as food
II. ˈbās noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by French basse & Italian basso ) of base (V)
1. : a deep or grave tone : low-pitched sound
2.
a.
(1) : the lowest part in polyphonic or harmonic music ; specifically : the lowest tone of a chord — distinguished from root
(2) : the lower half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range — contrasted with treble
b.
(1) : the lowest male singing voice
(2) : a person having such a voice
c. : the lowest member in range of a family of instruments: as
(1) : contrabass
(2) : a bass tuba
III. ˈbās adjective
Etymology: alteration (influenced by French basse & Italian basso ) of base (IV)
: deep or grave in tone : of low pitch
a bass voice
a bass lute
IV. ˈbas, -aa(ə)-, -ai- sometimes -ȧ- noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration of bast
1.
a. : the usually coarse tough fiber found on the sheathing leaf bases or leafstalks of many palms
b. : any of various articles (as a mat or basket) made of bast or similar material
2. : basswood 1