Chapter 23

3. The ground work the first or fundamental principle; that which supports. The basis of public credit is good faith. A. Hamilton. 4. The principal component part of a thing. BaÏsis¶oÏlute (?), a. [BasiÏ + solute, a.] (Bot.) Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves. Ba·siÏsphe¶noid (?), Ba·siÏspheÏnoid¶al (?), } a. [BasiÏ + spheroid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to that part of the base of the cranium between the basioccipital and the presphenoid, which usually ossifies separately in the embryo or in the young, and becomes a part of the sphenoid in the adult. Ba·siÏsphe¶noid, n. (Anat.) The basisphenoid bone. Bask, v. i. [imp. & p.p. Basked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Basking.] [ OScand. ba?ask to bathe one's self, or perh. bakask to bake one's self, sk being reflexive. See Bath, n., Bake, v. t.] To lie in warmth; to be exposed to genial heat. Basks in the glare, and stems the tepid wave. Goldsmith. Bask, v. t. To warm by continued exposure to heat; to warm with genial heat. Basks at the fire his hairy strength. Milton. Bas¶ket (?), n. [Of unknown origin. The modern Celtic words seem to be from the English.] 1. A vessel made of osiers or other twigs, cane, rushes, splints, or other flexible material, interwoven. ½Rude baskets ... woven of the flexile willow.¸ Dyer. 2. The contents of a basket; as much as a basket contains; as, a basket of peaches. 3. (Arch.) The bell or vase of the Corinthian capital. [Improperly so used.] Gwilt. 4. The two back seats facing one another on the outside of a stagecoach. [Eng.] Goldsmith. Basket fish (Zo”l.), an ophiuran of the genus Astrophyton, having the arms much branched. See Astrophyton. Ð Basket hilt, a hilt with a covering wrought like basketwork to protect the hand. Hudibras. Hence, Baskethilted, a. Ð Basket work, work consisting of plaited osiers or twigs. Ð Basket worm (Zo”l.), a lepidopterous insect of the genus Thyridopteryx and allied genera, esp. T. ephemer‘formis. The larva makes and carries about a bag or basketÐlike case of silk and twigs, which it afterwards hangs up to shelter the pupa and wingless adult females. Bas¶ket, v. t. To put into a basket. [R.] Bas¶ketÏful (?), n.; pl. Basketfuls (?). As much as a basket will contain. Bas¶ketÏry (?), n. The art of making baskets; also, baskets, taken collectively. Bask¶ing shark· (?). (Zo”l.) One of the largest species of sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), so called from its habit of basking in the sun; the liver shark, or bone shark. It inhabits the northern seas of Europe and America, and grows to a length of more than forty feet. It is a harmless species. Bas¶net (?), n. Same as Bascinet. ØBaÏsom·maÏtoph¶oÏra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? base + ? eye + ? to bear.] (Zo”l.) A group of Pulmonifera having the eyes at the base of the tentacles, including the common pond snails. Ba¶son (?), n. A basin. [Obs. or Special form] Basque (?), a. [F.] Pertaining to Biscay, its people, or their language. Basque (?), n. [F.] 1. One of a race, of unknown origin, inhabiting a region on the Bay of Biscay in Spain and France. 2. The language spoken by the Basque people. 3. A part of a lady's dress, resembling a jacket with a short skirt; Ð probably so called because this fashion of dress came from the Basques. Basqu¶ish (?), a. [F. Basque Biscayan: cf. G. Baskisch.] Pertaining to the country, people, or language of Biscay; Basque [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. Bas·ÐreÏlief¶ (?), n. [F. basÏrelief; bas law + relief raised work, relever to raise: cf. It. bassorilievo.] Low relief; sculpture, the figures of which project less than half of their true proportions; Ð called also bassrelief and bassoÏrilievo. See AltoÏrilievo. Bass (?), n.; pl. Bass, and sometimes Basses (?). [A corruption of barse.] (Zo”l.) 1. An edible, spinyÐfinned fish, esp. of the genera Roccus, Labrax, and related genera. There are many species. µ The common European bass is Labrax lupus. American species are: the striped bass (Roccus lineatus); white or silver bass of the lakes. (R. chrysops); brass or yellow bass (R. interruptus). 2. The two American freshÐwater species of black bass (genus Micropterus). See Black bass. 3. Species of Serranus, the sea bass and rock bass. See Sea bass. 4. The southern, red, or channel bass (Sci‘na ocellata). See Redfish. µ The name is also applied to many other fishes. See Calico bass, under Calico. Bass, n. [A corruption of bast.] 1. (Bot.) The linden or lime tree, sometimes wrongly called whitewood; also, its bark, which is used for making mats. See Bast. 2. (Pron. ? ) A hassock or thick mat. Bass (?), n. [F. basse, fr. bas low. See Base, a.] 1. A bass, or deep, sound or tone. 2. (Mus.) (a) The lowest part in a musical composition. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, bass. [Written also base.] Thorough bass. See Thorough bass. Bass, a. Deep or grave in tone. Bass clef (Mus.), the character placed at the beginning of the staff containing the bass part of a musical composition. [See Illust. under Clef.] Ð Bass voice, a deepsounding voice; a voice fitted for singing bass. Bass, v. t. To sound in a deep tone. [R.] Shak. Bas¶sa (?), BasÏsaw¶ (?), n. See Bashaw. Bass· drum¶ (?). (Mus.) The largest of the different kinds of drums, having two heads, and emitting a deep, grave sound. See Bass, a. Bas¶set (?),n. [F. bassette, fr.It. bassetta. Cf. Basso.] A game at cards, resembling the modern faro, said to have been invented at Venice. Some dress, some dance, some play, not to forget Your piquet parties, and your dear basset. Rowe. Bas¶set (?), a. [Cf. OF. basset somewhat low, dim. of bas low.] (Geol.) Inclined upward; as, the basset edge of strata. Lyell. Bas¶set, n. (Geol.) The edge of a geological stratum at the surface of the ground; the outcrop. Bas¶set, v. i. [imp. & p.p. Basseted; p. pr. & vb. n. Basseting.] (Geol.) To inclined upward so as to appear at the surface; to crop out; as, a vein of coal bassets. Bas¶set horn·(?). [See Basset, a.] (Mus.) An instrument blown with a reed, and resembling a clarinet, but of much greater compass, embracing nearly four octaves. Bas¶set hound· (?). [F. basset.] (Zo”l.) A small kind of hound with a long body and short legs, used as an earth dog. Bas¶setÏing, n. The upward direction of a vein in a mine; the emergence of a stratum at the surface. ØBasÏset¶to (?),n. [It., adj., somewhat low; n., counter tenor. See Basso.] (Mus.) A tenor or small bass viol. Bass¶ horn¶ (?). (Mus.) A modification of the bassoon, much deeper in tone. Bas¶siÏnet (?), n. [Cf. F. bassinet, dim. of bassin. See Basin, and cf. Bascinet.] 1. A wicker basket, with a covering or hood over one end, in which young children are placed as in a cradle. 2. See Bascinet. Lord Lytton. ØBas¶so (?), n. [It., fr. LL. bassus. See Base, a.] (Mus.) (a) The bass or lowest part; as, to sing basso. (b) One who sings the lowest part. (c) The double bass, or contrabasso. ØBasso continuo (?). [It., bass continued.] (Mus.) A bass part written out continuously, while the other parts of the harmony are indicated by figures attached to the bass; continued bass. Bas¶sock (?), n. A hassock. See 2d Bass, 2. BasÏsoon¶ (?), n. [F. basson, fr. basse bass; or perh. fr. bas son low sound. See Bass a part in music. ] (Mus.) A wind instrument of the double reed kind, furnished with holes, which are stopped by the fingers, and by keys, as in flutes. It forms the natural bass to the oboe, clarinet, etc. µ Its compass comprehends three octaves. For convenience of carriage it is divided into two parts; whence it is also called a fagot. BasÏsoon¶ist, n. A performer on the bassoon. Busby. ØBas¶soÐriÏlie¶vo (?), Bas¶soÐreÏlie¶vo (?), n. [It. bassoÐrilievo.] Same as BasÐrelief. Bas¶soÏrin (?), n. [Cf. F. bassorine.] (Chem.) A constituent part of a species of gum from Bassora, as also of gum tragacanth and some gum resins. It is one of the amyloses. Ure. Bass¶ÐreÏlief· (?), n. Some as BasÐrelief. Bass¶ vi·ol (?). (Mus.) A stringed instrument of the viol family, used for playing bass. See 3d Bass, n., and Violoncello. Bass¶wood· (?), n. (Bot.) The bass (Tilia) or its wood; especially, T. Americana. See Bass, the lime tree. All the bowls were made of basswood, White and polished very smoothly. Longfellow. Bast (?), n. [AS. b‘st; akin to Icel., Sw., Dan., D., & G. bast, of unknown origin. Cf. Bass the tree.] 1. The inner fibrous bark of various plants; esp. of the lime tree; hence, matting, cordage, etc., made therefrom. 2. A thick mat or hassock. See 2d Bass, 2. ØBas¶ta (?), interj. [It.] Enough; stop. Shak. Bas¶tard (?),n. [OF. bastard, bastart, F. b?tard, prob. fr. OF. bast, F. b?t, a packsaddle used as a bed by the muleteers (fr. LL. bastum) + Ïard. OF. fils de bast son of the packsaddle; as the muleteers were accustomed to use their saddles for beds in the inns. See Cervantes, ½Don Quixote,¸ chap. 16; and cf.G. bankert, fr. bank bench.] 1. A ½natural¸ child; a child begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate child; one born of an illicit union. µ By the civil and canon laws, and by the laws of many of the United States, a bastard becomes a legitimate child by the intermarriage of the parents at any subsequent time. But by those of England, and of some states of the United States, a child, to be legitimate, must at least be born after the lawful marriage. Kent. Blackstone. 2. (Sugar Refining) (a) An inferior quality of soft brown sugar, obtained from the sirups that ? already had several boilings. (b) A large size of mold, in which sugar is drained. 3. A sweet Spanish wine like muscadel in flavor. Brown bastard is your only drink. Shak. 4. A writing paper of a particular size. See Paper. Bas¶tard (?), a. 1. Begotten and born out of lawful matrimony; illegitimate. See Bastard, n., note. 2. Lacking in genuineness; spurious; false; adulterate; Ð applied to things which resemble those which are genuine, but are really not so. That bastard selfÐlove which is so vicious in itself, and productive of so many vices. Barrow. 3. Of an unusual make or proportion; as, a bastard musket; a bastard culverin. [Obs.] 4. (Print.) Abbreviated, as the half title in a page preceding the full title page of a book. Bastard ashlar (Arch.), stones for ashlar work, roughly squared at the quarry. Ð Bastard file, a file intermediate between the coarsest and the second cut. Ð Bastard type (Print.), type having the face of a larger or a smaller size than the body; e. g., a nonpareil face on a brevier body. Ð Bastard wing (Zo”l.), three to five quill feathers on a small joint corresponding to the thumb in some mam malia; the alula. Bas¶tard, v. t. To bastardize. [Obs.] Bacon. Bas¶tardÏism (?),n. The state of being a bastard; bastardy. Bas¶tardÏize (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Bastardized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bastardizing.] 1. To make or prove to be a bastard; to stigmatize as a bastard; to declare or decide legally to be illegitimate. The law is so indulgent as not to bastardize the child, if born, though not begotten, in lawful wedlock. Blackstone. 2. To beget out of wedlock. [R.] Shak. Bas¶tardÏly, a. Bastardlike; baseborn; spurious; corrupt. [Obs.] Ð adv. In the manner of a bastard; spuriously. [Obs.] Shak. Donne. Bas¶tarÏdy (?), n. 1. The state of being a bastard; illegitimacy. 2. The procreation of a bastard child. Wharton. Baste (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Basted; p. pr. & vb. n. Basting.] [Cf. Icel. beysta to strike, powder; Sw. basa to beat with a rod: perh. akin to E. beat.] 1. To beat with a stick; to cudgel. One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some people over on his back through the waters. Pepys. 2. (Cookery) To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or fat on, as on meat in roasting. 3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.] Baste, v. t. [OE. basten, OF. bastir, F. b?tir, prob. fr. OHG. bestan to sew, MHG. besten to bind, fr. OHG. bast bast. See Bast.] To sew loosely, or with long stitches; Ð usually, that the work may be held in position until sewed more firmly. Shak. BasÏtile¶ BasÏtille¶ } (?), n. [F. bastille fortress, OF. bastir to build, F. b?tir.] 1. (Feud. Fort.) A tower or an elevated work, used for the defense, or in the siege, of a fortified place. The high bastiles ... which overtopped the walls. Holland. 2. ½The Bastille¸, formerly a castle or fortress in Paris, used as a prison, especially for political offenders; hence, a rhetorical name for a prison. Bas·tiÏnade¶ (?), n. See Bastinado, n. Bas·tiÏnade¶, v. t. To bastinado. [Archaic] Bas·tiÏna¶do (?), n.; pl. Bastinadoes (?). [Sp. bastonada (cf. F. bastonnade), fr. baston (cf. F. b?ton) a stick or staff. See Baston.] 1. A blow with a stick or cudgel. 2. A sound beating with a stick or cudgel. Specifically: A form of punishment among the Turks, Chinese, and others, consisting in beating an offender on the soles of his feet. Bas·tiÏna¶do, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Bastinadoes (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bastinadoing.] To beat with a stick or cudgel, especially on the soles of the feet. Bas¶tion (?), n. [F. bastion (cf. It. bastione), fr. LL. bastire to build (cf. F. b?tir, It. bastire), perh. from the idea of support for a weight, and akin to Gr. ? to lift, carry, and to E. baston, baton.] (Fort.) A work projecting outward from the main inclosure of a fortification, consisting of two faces and two flanks, and so constructed that it is able to defend by a flanking fire the adjacent curtain, or wall which extends from one bastion to another. Two adjacent bastions are connected by the curtain, which joins the flank of one with the adjacent flank of the other. The distance between the flanks of a bastion is called the gorge. A lunette is a detached bastion. See Ravelin. Bas¶tioned (?),a. Furnished with a bastion; having bastions.

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