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)

basseted, basseting 

1. to crop out.

basset

³

[bas-it]

noun

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

basset

¹

/ ˈbæsɪt /

noun

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

basset

²

/ ˈbæsɪt /

verb

1. a rare word for outcrop

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: from French, from basset short, from bas low; see _base ²

Origin of basset²

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

Example Sentences

If Trump says basset hounds can fly, they have to say it too.

From Los Angeles Times

She has a new Burmese kitten, Dino, and a basset hound puppy, Poppy.

From Los Angeles Times

But a petit basset griffon Vendéen took best in show for the first time last year, as did a bloodhound in 2022.

From Seattle Times

They got together at a cafe in Istanbul — a dog cafe, to be precise, where they were greeted at the door by a resident basset hound.

From New York Times

They are doppelgangers, dead ringers with basset hound eyes a signature feature.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beagle