Basinette
/ˌbæsɪˈnɛt/noun
An obsolete or variant form of “bassinet,” referring either to a small basin-shaped helmet or, in later usage, a small infant’s bed.
Did you know?The medieval basinet helmet was named for its resemblance to an ordinary basin, showing how everyday household objects could inspire names for battlefield armor.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
baccinum
“A basin or vessel, probably connected with a bowl-shaped container”
Old French
Old French
bacin
“A basin or bowl”
12th–13th Century
Old French
bacinet
“A small basin; later, a basin-shaped helmet”
14th Century
Middle English
basinet
“A lightweight medieval helmet covering the head and often the neck”
Early Modern English
English
basinette
“A variant spelling of basinet or bassinet”
Modern English
English
basinette
“An obsolete or dialectal form associated with a bassinet, especially a small infant bed”