Bass
/beɪs/noun
The lowest range of a voice, instrument, or musical part; also a low-pitched tone or singer.
Did you know?The musical term ultimately comes from Latin bassus, “low” or “short,” the same ancient source behind English words like base, debase, and basement.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
bassus
“low, short, stumpy”
Old French
Old French
bas
“low; inferior; beneath”
14th Century
English
base
“low in pitch or rank”
15th Century
Italian
basso
“low, deep, or lower part in music”
16th Century
English
bass
“the lowest part in a musical setting or a low voice/instrument”
Modern English
English
bass
“the lowest vocal or instrumental range, especially in music”
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