contrabasso

[kon-truh-bas-oh, -bah-soh, kawn-trah-bahs-saw]

noun

plural

contrabassos, contrabassi 

1. contrabass.

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrabasso¹

< Italian contrabasso, equivalent to contra- contra- ² ( def. ) + basso bass ¹

Example Sentences

Upon the former “at all times” he relies for Viola, Violoncello, and Contrabasso, and “generally” for the second Violins.

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He is represented, as is well known, seated in the group of musicians in the centre, and playing the contrabasso.

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"The thing which my brother can have from me is 1, a Septett per il Violino, Viola, Violoncello, Contrabasso, Clarinetto, Cornto, Fagotto, tutti obligati; for I can not write anything that is not obligato, having come into the world with obligato accompaniment."

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