Basque

[ bask ]

noun

1. one of a people of unknown origin inhabiting the western Pyrenees regions in France and Spain.
2. their language, not known to be related to any other language.
3. (lowercase) a close-fitting bodice, sometimes having an extension that covers the hips.
4. (lowercase) the extension of this bodice or of a doublet.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Basques or their language.

basque

¹

/ bæsk; bɑːsk /

noun

1. a short extension below the waist to the bodice of a woman's jacket, etc
2. a tight-fitting bodice for women

Basque

²

/ bɑːsk; bæsk /

noun

1. a member of a people of unknown origin living around the W Pyrenees in France and Spain
2. the language of this people, of no known relationship with any other language

adjective

1. relating to, denoting, or characteristic of this people or their language

Word History and Origins

Origin of Basque¹

C19: perhaps from Basque

Origin of Basque²

C19: from French, from Latin Vascō a Basque

Example Sentences

Late in the afternoon of April 26, 1937 waves of bombers obliterated the ancient capital of Basque Spain, Guernica.

From The Daily Beast

Hemingway and his first wife Hadley went from the Basque country to Pamplona over the Pyrenees by bus.

From The Daily Beast

As we pulled back the sheets the bed was full of confetti in the Basque colors, red, white and green.

From The Daily Beast

We were headed to the small port of St-Jean-de-Luz in the Basque country near the Spanish border.

From The Daily Beast

Aznar jumped to conclusions, quickly blaming Basque separatist organization ETA for the al Qaeda attack.

From The Daily Beast

Then came the escape of Don Carlos, and his placing himself at the head of the insurgents in the Basque provinces.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, in a Basque tale the lad is set to find a ring lost by the ogre in a river.

From Project Gutenberg

The younger boys wore broad, turn-down collars and had short, square jackets made somewhat in the Basque fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

With this idea he went to the Basque and said: "If I were to enter there and go on foot up to the bulwark would you follow me?"

From Project Gutenberg

Thinking it was in danger, she hastened to rescue it and came up with the Basque just as he was going down into the ditch.

From Project Gutenberg