Bass (?), n.; pl. Bass, and sometimes Basses (#). [A corruption of barse.] Zool.
1.
An edible, spiny-finned fish, esp. of the genera Roccus, Labrax, and related genera. There are many species.
⇒ The common European bass is Labrax lupus. American species are: the striped bass (Roccus lineatus); white or silver bass of the lakes. (R. chrysops); brass or yellow bass (R. interruptus).
2.
The two American fresh-water species of black bass (genus Micropterus). See Black bass.
3.
Species of Serranus, the sea bass and rock bass. See Sea bass.
4.
The southern, red, or channel bass (Sciaena ocellata). See Redfish.
⇒ The name is also applied to many other fishes. See Calico bass, under Calico.
© Webster 1913.
Bass, n. [A corruption of bast.]
1. Bot.
The linden or lime tree, sometimes wrongly called whitewood; also, its bark, which is used for making mats. See Bast.
2. (Pron. )
A hassock or thick mat.
© Webster 1913.
Bass (?), n. [F. basse, fr. bas low. See Base, a.]
1.
A bass, or deep, sound or tone.
2. Mus. (a)
The lowest part in a musical composition.
(b)
One who sings, or the instrument which plays, bass.
[Written also
base.]
Thorough bass. See Thorough bass.
© Webster 1913.
Bass, a.
Deep or grave in tone.
Bass clef (Mus.), the character placed at the beginning of the staff containing the bass part of a musical composition. [See Illust. under Clef.] -- Bass voice, a deepsounding voice; a voice fitted for singing bass.
© Webster 1913.
Bass, v. t.
To sound in a deep tone.
[R.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.