bass

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Of sound, a voice or an instrument, low in pitch or frequency.

   The giant spoke in a deep, bass, rumbling voice that shook me to my boots.

2. 2
   noun

   A low spectrum of sound tones.

   Peter adjusted the equalizer on his audio equipment to emphasize the bass.

3. 3
   noun

   A section of a musical group that produces low-pitched sound, lower than the baritone and tenor.

   The conductor preferred to situate the bass in the middle rear, rather than to one side of the orchestra.

4. 4
   noun

   One who sings in the bass range.

   Halfway through middle school, Edgar morphed from a soprano to a bass, much to the amazement and amusement of his fellow choristers.

5. 5
   noun

   An instrument that plays in the bass range, in particular a double bass, bass guitar, electric bass or bass synthesiser.

   The musician swung the bass over his head like an axe and smashed it into the amplifier, creating a discordant howl of noise.

6. 6
   noun

   The clef sign that indicates that the pitch of the notes is below middle C; a bass clef.

   The score had been written without the treble and bass, but it was easy to pick out which was which based on the location of the notes on the staff.

7. 7
   verb

   To sound in a deep tone.

   […] and the Thunder (That deepe and dreadfull Organ-Pipe) pronounc'd The name of Proſper : it did baſe my Treſpaſſe

8. 8
   noun

   Anything made from such fibers, such as a hassock, basket or thick mat.

   BASS, 1, a door mat

Etymology

From Middle English bace, bas, alteration of bars, from Old English bærs (“a fish, perch”), from Proto-West Germanic *bars, from Proto-Germanic *barsaz (“perch”, literally “prickly”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰórsos (“prickle, thorn, scale”). Cognate with Dutch baars (“perch, bass”), German Barsch (“perch”). More at barse.