bass etymology

Etymology

Middle English: bace Old English: bas Proto-Germanic: bassaz Proto-Indo-European: *bhes- (to bellow, bark)

Meaning and Origin

The word "bass" has several related meanings:

• Musical sound with a low pitch:
  • Originates from the Old English word "bas," meaning "deep" or "hollow."
  • Refers to the lowest register of sounds in music, below the tenor and baritone ranges.
• Vocal register or range:
  • The lowest vocal register, typically possessed by males.
• Type of fish with a large mouth:
  • Derived from the Middle English word "bace," which may have originated from the Latin "barbatus" (bearded), referring to the fish's prominent barbels.
• Venue for drinking alcohol:
  • Slang term used in the 19th century, possibly derived from the association of bass beer with low-pitched sounds.
• Musical instrument that produces low pitches:
  • Such as the bass guitar, bassoon, or double bass.

In modern usage, the term "bass" is primarily used to describe the lowest notes in music or the vocal range capable of producing those notes.

bass relate terms

• base

  Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

• bristle

  Etymology The word bristle comes from the Middle English word bristell which is deri

• bassoon

  Etymology The word bassoon is derived from the Italian word fagotto which means bu

• dace

  Etymology The word dace derives from the Middle English word dace which is itself th

• deep

  Etymology Deep derives from the Old English word dēop pronounced with a long e

• baritone

  Etymology Late Middle English 14th century from Italian baritono from Greek barys

• burden

  Etymology The word burden comes from the Old English word byrðen meaning load or

• bombard

  Etymology The word bombard originates from the French word bombarde which in turn i

• mossback

  Etymology The term mossback originated in the early 19th century in the United States

• instrument

  Etymology The word instrument comes from the Latin word instrumentum which means t

• voice

  Etymology The word voice comes from the Middle English word vois which in turn comes

• pitch

  Etymology and Origin The word pitch has multiple etymological origins Latin pix