What does "bass" mean?
Bass: An edible, spiny-finned fish, esp. of the genera Roccus, Labrax, and related genera. There are many species. Note: 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).
Additional senses
- 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 (Sciæna ocellata). See Redfish. Note: The name is also applied to many other fishes. See Calico bass, under Calico.
- 5.(Bot.) The linden or lime tree, sometimes wrongly called whitewood; also, its bark, which is used for making mats. See Bast.
- 6.(Pron. A hassock or thick mat.
- 7.A bass, or deep, sound or tone.
- 8.(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.
- 9.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.
- 10.To sound in a deep tone. [R.] Shak.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00