bast

[bast]

noun

Botany. phloem.

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.

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 bass³

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

Examples from the Web for bast

Contemporary Examples of bast

Bast, it turns out, runs a bit of a side business involving favors for children done in exchange for secrets.
Inside George R.R. Martin’s New Book (Mild Buzzkill: Only One Story is Martin’s)
William O’Connor
June 17, 2014
His entry takes the reader through a day of mischief with Bast, the somewhat mysterious creature from the Chronicles series.
Inside George R.R. Martin’s New Book (Mild Buzzkill: Only One Story is Martin’s)
William O’Connor
June 17, 2014
Bast himself spent roughly $350,000 preparing for the end, but it does not have to be so expensive.
How to Prepare for December 21, 2012? Preppers Weigh In
Andrew Carter
December 21, 2012
“2012 is a great excuse to prepare for the worst,” Bast says.
How to Prepare for December 21, 2012? Preppers Weigh In
Andrew Carter
December 21, 2012
Bast says that what we see as the end begins will depend on what form the end takes.
How to Prepare for December 21, 2012? Preppers Weigh In
Andrew Carter
December 21, 2012

Historical Examples of bast

"I don't call that fair," said Mr. Bast, going scarlet and handsome.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
Money: give Mr. Bast money, and don't bother about his ideals.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
Next day, just as they were dressed to go out to dinner, a Mr. Bast called.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
She heard no sound, and Mr. Bast's topper was missing from the hall.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
Now that the first shock was over, she saw that there was every reason to premise a Mrs. Bast.
Howards End
E. M. Forster

British Dictionary definitions for bast

bast

noun

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

botany another name for phloem

Word Origin for bast

Old English bæst; related to Old Norse, Middle High German bast

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 bast

"inner bark of the linden tree," Old English bæst, a general Germanic word (cf. Old Norse, Old Saxon, Middle Dutch, Old High German, German bast), of uncertain origin.