bast

American  

[bast] / bæst /

noun

1. Botany. phloem.

2. Also called bast fiber.  any of several strong, woody fibers, as flax, hemp, ramie, or jute, obtained from phloem tissue and used in the manufacture of woven goods and cordage.

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bast British  

/ bæst /

noun

1. Also called: bass.  fibrous material obtained from the phloem of jute, hemp, flax, lime, etc, used for making rope, matting, etc

2. botany another name for phloem

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Etymology

Origin of bast

before 900; Middle English; Old English bæst; cognate with Dutch, German, Old Norse bast; perhaps ultimately cognate with Latin fascis bundle. See bass ³

Example Sentences

That year, Bishop Anton Bast was found guilty of “imprudent and unministerial conduct” and suspended from work as a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a predecessor to the United Methodist Church.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 22, 2023

Born in London, Samuel West, 54, was cast as Leonard Bast in Merchant Ivory’s 1992 film adaptation of Howards End.

From The Guardian • Oct. 24, 2020

The second favorite is Bast, at 7-5, for Baffert and Drayden Van Dyke.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2019

Bast has won two Grade 1s in her four-race career.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2019

“I’ve never left Bast, but I’ve longed to see Frell my whole life.”

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine