basset

¹

[ bas-it ]

noun

1. one of a breed of hounds having short legs, long body and ears, and usually a black, tan, and white coat.

basset

²

[ bas-it ]

noun

1. an outcrop, as of the edges of strata.

verb (used without object)

, bas·set·ed, bas·set·ing.

1. to crop out.

basset

³

[ bas-it ]

noun

1. an 18th-century card game similar to faro.

basset

¹

/ ˈbæsɪt /

verb

1. See outcrop
   a rare word for outcrop

basset

²

/ ˈbæsɪt /

noun

1. a long low smooth-haired breed of hound with short strong legs and long ears Also calledbasset hound

Word History and Origins

Origin of basset¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from French: noun use of adjective basset “of low stature, short,” equivalent to bass- “low” + -et diminutive suffix; base ², -et )

Origin of basset²

First recorded in 1680–90; probably from obsolete French basset “low stool,” noun use of adjective basset; basset ¹

Origin of basset³

First recorded in 1635–45; from French bassette, from Italian bassetta, noun use of feminine of bassetto “somewhat low”; so called because the game is played with low cards; basset ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of basset¹

C17: perhaps from French: low stool, see basset ¹

Origin of basset²

C17: from French, from basset short, from bas low; see base ²

Example Sentences

The pictures of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi being cheered off the plane in Tripoli tonight are particularly galling.

From The Daily Beast

People think that greyhounds cannot hunt by scent, but this man has a tiny black and a large brindle that work like basset-hounds.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as it was light they sent Jim for Dr. Basset, and he gave her a strong dose of morphine.

From Project Gutenberg

She appeared to know all that had been done for her, and was very thankful; but Dr. Basset had forbidden her to speak much.

From Project Gutenberg

A shady croupier, Morin by name, obliged to leave Paris, came over to London and introduced basset.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as he got home he excommunicated the whole of the inmates of the priory, and along with them Bishop Basset.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beagle