basset

¹ American  

[bas-it] / ˈbæs ɪt /

noun

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

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basset ² American  

[bas-it] / ˈbæs ɪt /

noun

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

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verb (used without object)

basseted, basseting

1. to crop out.

basset ³ American  

[bas-it] / ˈbæs ɪt /

noun

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

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basset ¹ British  

/ ˈbæsɪt /

noun

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

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basset ² British  

/ ˈbæsɪt /

verb

1. a rare word for outcrop

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Etymology

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; see base ², -et )

Origin of basset²

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

basset

Judge Tamas Jakkel's choice for reserve dog was a petit basset griffon vendeen called Meghan, from Croatia, who earlier won the Hound group.

From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2026

He once described himself as “a basset hound with a 25-watt personality.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

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 ● Apr. 29, 2024

Finn, a 4-year-old basset hound dressed as a hot dog, is excited whenever owner Stephanie Hinrichs pulls out his costumes.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 30, 2023

As always he looked to be on the verge of sleep; his eyes were those of a basset hound.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• beagle