Basque

[bask]

noun

one of a people of unknown origin inhabiting the western Pyrenees regions in France and Spain.

their language, not known to be related to any other language.

(lowercase) a close-fitting bodice, sometimes having an extension that covers the hips.

(lowercase) the extension of this bodice or of a doublet.

adjective

of or relating to the Basques or their language.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for basque

Contemporary Examples of basque

Late in the afternoon of April 26, 1937 waves of bombers obliterated the ancient capital of Basque Spain, Guernica.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive
Clive Irving
August 3, 2014
Hemingway and his first wife Hadley went from the Basque country to Pamplona over the Pyrenees by bus.
Is This Hemingway’s Pamplona or a Lot of Bull?
Clive Irving
July 13, 2014
As we pulled back the sheets the bed was full of confetti in the Basque colors, red, white and green.
Is This Hemingway’s Pamplona or a Lot of Bull?
Clive Irving
July 13, 2014
We were headed to the small port of St-Jean-de-Luz in the Basque country near the Spanish border.
Is This Hemingway’s Pamplona or a Lot of Bull?
Clive Irving
July 13, 2014
Aznar jumped to conclusions, quickly blaming Basque separatist organization ETA for the al Qaeda attack.
French Police Mount a Massive Manhunt for Killer of 3 Children, Teacher
Tracy McNicoll
March 20, 2012

Historical Examples of basque

The obvious thing was to question the Basque as to long-ago events.
Louisiana Lou
William West Winter
She was talking low to herself, but she spoke in Basque which he did not understand.
Louisiana Lou
William West Winter
It is said that, in Basque, "you spell Solomon, and pronounce it Nebuchadnezzar."
A Short History of Spain
Mary Platt Parmele
Whenever a man talks indifferent Spanish, he says he is from the Basque.
Confessions Of Con Cregan
Charles James Lever
The girl was the wilful daughter of a Basque rancher over on the Porcupine.
They of the High Trails
Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for basque

basque

noun

a short extension below the waist to the bodice of a woman's jacket, etc

a tight-fitting bodice for women

Word Origin for basque

C19: perhaps from Basque

Basque

noun

a member of a people of unknown origin living around the W Pyrenees in France and Spain

the language of this people, of no known relationship with any other language

adjective

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

Word Origin for Basque

C19: from French, from Latin Vascō a Basque

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for basque

Basque

1817 (adj.), 1835 (n.), from French, from Spanish vasco (adj.), from vascon (n.), from Latin Vascones (Vasconia was the Roman name for the up-country of the western Pyrenees), said by von Humboldt to originally mean "foresters" but more likely a Latinized version of the people's name for themselves, euskara or eskuara.

This contains a basic element -sk- which is believed to relate to maritime people or sailors, and which is also found in the name of the Etruscans .... [Room, "Placenames of the World," 2006]

Earlier in English was Basquish (1610s, noun and adjective); Baskles (plural noun, late 14c.); Baskon (mid-15c.).