I. ˈbask, -aa(ə)-, -ai- also -ȧ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Latin Vasco
1. capitalized : one of a people inhabiting from pre-Roman times the region of the western Pyrenees on the Bay of Biscay in Spain and France, being of obscure origin but believed by some authorities to represent a pre-Aryan people, and constituting a distinct people become distinctive through long isolation
2. capitalized : the language of the Basques, of unknown relationship though attempts have been made to connect it with the Caucasic languages, the Berber languages, Etruscan, or Iberian — called also Euskarian
3.
[French, from Middle French, alteration (influenced by Basque, the people) of baste, from Old Provençal basta seam, tuck]
a.
(1) : a short skirtlike continuation of a man's doublet
(2) : a similar continuation of a woman's bodice
b. : any of various tight-fitting bodices for women copied from the Basque costume
II. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: French, from basque, n.
1.
a. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Basque provinces
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Basque people
2. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Basque language