Meanings
-
1
adj
low and deep in pitch, especially of a male voice
His voice sounded basso in the planet's unusually thick air.
-
2
noun
a male singer with the lowest adult vocal range
The opera's leading basso gave the villain a dark, resonant voice.
-
3
noun
a musical part written in the bass register or for a bass instrument
The continuo's basso supported the melody with a steady harmonic line.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian basso, 'low' or 'bass,' from Late Latin bassus, 'short, low.' It is a doublet of base and bass. English uses it for a low male singer, a bass musical part, and, more broadly, a voice with a deep pitch.