barytone 
(ti) A stringed instrument played with a bow, 
resembling "the viola da garnba, called in Italian 
viola di bardonc or bordone. It had sometimes (i, 
usually 7 gut strings, stopped by the fingers of the left 
hand, and from !) to 24 sympathetic strings of brass or 
steel running under the finger-board. These were some- 
times plucked with the thumb of the left hand. The in- 
strument was a great favorite in the eighteenth century, 
and much music was composed especially for it. It is 
now obsolete, (c) The name usually given to the 
smaller brass sax-horn in Bb or C. 2. In Gr. 
!/mm., a word which has the last syllable un- 
accented. 
barytone (bar'i-tou), -v. t.; pret. and pp. barij- 
toned, ppr. barytoning. [< barytone, n.~\ In (Ii: 
gram., to pronounce or write without accent on 
the last syllable : as, to barytone a word. 
barytrope (bar'i-trop), . [< Gr. /iapvc, heavy, 
+ rpoTrof, a turning: see trope.'] A curve de- 
fined by the condition that, if a heavy body 
slides down an incline having this form, the 
pressure on the incline will follow a given law. 
basal (ba'sal), a. and n. [< base* + -al.~\ I. a. 
1. Of or pertaining to the base; constituting 
the base ; fundamental. 
The basal idea of Bishop Butler's profound treatise, The 
Analogy of Religion. 
G. D. Boardman, Creative Week, p. 28. 
2. Pertaining to the base of a part or organ. 
(a) On or near the base : as, a basal mark, (b) 
Nearest the base : as, the basal joint, or the four 
basal joints of an insect's antenna. 3. In ichth., 
of or pertaining to the basalia. See basale. 
The Elasmobranchii possess three basal cartilages, which 
articulate with the pectoral arch. 
Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. 38. 
Basal cell, (a) A cell at the base of the segmented ovum 
of some embryos, as sponges : the opposite of apical cell. 
(b) In the wings of Diptem, one of the elongate cells near 
the base of the wing between the second and fifth or second 
and sixth longitudinal veins ; they are numbered, the first 
being the one nearest the costal margin. Basal cleav- 
age, in crystal., cleavage in the direction of a basal plane. 
Basal field, area, or space, a portion of an insect's 
wing lying at the base, but very diversely defined in the 
different groups. In the Lepidnptera it occupies the 
whole width of the wing for about one fourth of its length, 
and in the fore wings of the Noctuidai is limited exter- 
nally by the anterior or extra-basilar cross-line. In the 
dragon-flies it is a small space at the extreme base of the 
wing, between the median and submedian veins, and 
bounded exteriorly by the arc or arculus, a small cross- 
vein. In other groups it is generally an indeterminate 
portion occupying about one third of the wing. Basal 
ganglion. See ganglion. Basal half-line, in the noc- 
tuid moths, a line extending from the costal border of the 
anterior wing, near the base, half way across the surface. 
Basal plane, in cn/stal., a plane parallel to the lateral 
or horizontal axes. Basal valve, that valve in bivalves 
by which they adhere to other substances. 
II. . 1. One of the basal joints of the 
branches of a crinoid, bearing the radials. 2. 
In ichth., the basisphenoid. [Rare.] 
basale (ba-sa'le), n. ; pi. basalia (-li-a). [NL., 
< E. basal, q. v.] 1. In ichth., one of several 
cartilages which may compose the basis of the 
pectoral limb of a fish, and to which the series 
of radialia, or radial cartilages, is attached : as, 
the propterygial basale ; the mesopterygial and 
metapterygial basalia. See pterygium, and cut 
under scapulocoracoid. 2. One of the bones 
which form the base for the pectoral fin ; an 
actinost. 3. In crinoids, same as basal, 1. 
A central piece, which probably represents the basalia 
of other crinoids. Huxleii, Anat. Invert., p. 500. 
basal-nerved (ba'sal-nervd), n. In bot., de- 
scriptive of leaves the nerves of which all 
proceed from the base. 
basalt (ba-salf or bas'alt), n. [First in E. as 
L., basaltes ; = F. basalte, < L. basaltes, a 
dark and very hard species of marble in Ethi- 
opia; said to be an African word (Pliny).] A 
volcanic rock occurring widely, and consisting 
of a triclinic feldspar, together with augite and 
magnetite or titaniferous iron. 
Olivin and nephelin are also often 
found in the basalts, especially the for- 
mer. Apatite, leucite, and haiiyne are 
occasionally present. The basalts have 
been variously classed by different 
writers. Basalt proper is the dark, 
compact variety, breaking with a 
splintery fracture. Under the name 
dolerite are included all the more 
coarsely crystallized varieties in which 
the component minerals can be made 
out with the naked eye, while anam- 
esite is the name given to those varie- 
ties which have a finely granular tex- 
ture. In the modern eruptive regions 
basalt has almost always been the last rock to be emitted 
from the volcanic orifice. The cooling of lava often gives 
rise to the formation of hexagonal prisms or columns, 
which are occasionally extremely regular in fonn and of 
great size. Basalt displays this structure more frequently 
and in greater perfectness than any other rock ; hence 
this kind of structure is frequently called basaltic. (See 
cut.) Remarkable formations of columnar basalt exist in 
various parts of the world, as the Giant's Causeway on the 
Columnar Basalt. 
462 
northeast coast of Ireland, and Fingal's ('ave in the island 
of Statfa, Scotland.- Basalt ware, a kind of stoneware 
made by Josiali Wedgwood and his successors. It is usually 
black, colored throughout the paste, and has a dull gloss : 
hence also called Mm* mire. Articles made of it are much 
admired, and those made by Wedgwood himself are rare 
and costly. 
basaltic (ba-sul'tik), a. [< basalt + -ic.~\ Per- 
taining to" basalt; formed of or containing 
basalt ; of the nature of or resembling basalt : 
as, basaltic lava. 
basaltiform (ba-sal'ti-form), a. [< L. basal- 
ten, basalt, + forma, shape.] Of the form of 
prismatic basalt ; columnar. 
basalting (ba-sal'ting), n. [< basalt + -tea 1 .] 
A process of making paving- and building- 
blocks from the scoriie of blast-furnaces. 
basaltoid (ba-sal'toid), a. [< basalt + -aid.'] 
Allied in appearance or nature to basalt; re- 
sembling basalt. 
basan, basane (baz'an, ba-zan'), [Also 
bazan, basin, basin, and more corruptly basil, 
bazil; < F. basane, bazane (Cotgrave), < Sp. Pg. 
badana, (ML. bedane), a tanned sheepskin, < Ar. 
bitdnah, lining.] Sheepskin tanned in oak- or 
larch-bark, and used for bookbinding, etc. It 
is distinguished from roan, which is tanned in 
sumac. 
basanite (bas'a-nlt), n. [< L. basanites (sc. 
lapis, stone), < Gr. * [iaaaviTtjc, (sc. /U0of, stone), 
< flaaavos, a touchstone, a dark-colored stone on 
which pure gold when rubbed makes a peculiar 
mark; origin uncertain.] A silicious rock or 
jasper, of a velvety-black color, used as a touch- 
stone for determining the amount of alloy in 
gold. The touchstone was formerly extensive- 
ly used, but is now much less common. See 
touchstone and touch-needle. 
bas-bleu (bii-ble'), . [F., blue-stocking: bas, 
abbr. of bas de chausses, nether-stock, stock- 
ing (see base 1 ) ; bleu, blue : a translation of the 
E. term.] Same as blue-stocking, 1. 
bas-chevaliert, [A fictitious term, based on 
a false etymology of bachelor; < F. bas, low, 
inferior (see base*), + chevalier : see chevalier.] 
One of a class of low or inferior knights, by 
bare tenure of a military fee, as distinguished 
from bannerets and baronets. Phillips, 1706. 
[A spurious term, without historical support.] 
bascinet, . See basinet. 
Bascuencet, The Basque language. 
basculation (bas-ku-la'shon), n. [< F. bascu- 
ler, swing, see-saw, < bascule : see ba&culc.~\ In 
patliol., the movement by which a retroverted 
uterus is" swung back into position. 
bascule (bas'kul), . [< F. bascule, swing, 
poise, balance, see-saw, formerly baculc, appar. 
< battre, beat, bump (or bas, low), + cul, the 
posteriors.] 1. An arrangement in bridges 
by which one portion balances another. 2. 
A form of bailing-scoop. 
bascule-bridge (bas'kul-brij), n. A drawbridge 
arranged with a counterpoise, so that, as the 
floor of the 
bridge is raised, 
the counter- 
poise descends 
into a pit pre- 
pared for it : 
the commonest 
form of me- 
dieval draw- 
bridge. See bal- 
ance-bridge. 
base 1 (bas), a. 
and n. [Early mod. E. also bace; < ME. base, 
bass, baas, < OF. (and F.) bas, masc., basse, 
fern., = Pr. bas = Sp. bajo = Pg. baixo = It. bas- 
so, low, < LL. bassus, low, short, thick; iii clas- 
sical L. found only as a cognomen, Bassus, 
' Short.' Perhaps of Celtic origin ; cf. W. bas, = 
Corn. 6s = Bret, baz, shallow ; W. basu, make 
shallow, lower; Corn, basse, fall, lower, abate ; 
but the Celtic terms may be from the L. In mu- 
sic, now generally bass : see bass 3 . As a noun, 
base of this origin (the lower part) is confused 
with base 2 (the supporting part).] I. a. 1. Low; 
of small height : applied to things. [Archaic.] 
The cedar stoops not to the base shrub's foot. 
Sfaifc., Lucrece, 1. 664. 
Hence 2. In bo t., of low or lowly growth: as, 
base broom; base rocket. 3. Low in place, 
position, or degree. [Archaic.] 
By that same hole an entraunce, darke and bace, 
With smoake and sulphur hiding all the place, 
Descends to hell. Spenser, F. Q., I. v. 31. 
Men acting gregariously are always in extremes; as 
they are one moment capable of higher courage, so they 
are liable, the next, to baser depression. 
Lowell, Study Windows, p. 161. 
7 
Bascule-bridge at Brussels. 
base 
4. Of little value ; coarse in quality ; worth- 
less, absolutely or comparatively: as, the base 
metals (so called in contrast with the noble or 
precious metals). 
The harvest white plumb is a bane plumb. 
Bacon, Nat. Hist., 609. 
Often haa the vein of gold displayed itself amid the 
baser ores. Mary. Fuller, Woman in 19th Cent., p. 15. 
Hence 5. Fraudulently debased in value; 
spurious ; false : as, base coin. 
They were compelled to accept base money in exchange 
for those commodities they were forced to sell. 
Goldsmith, Hist. Ens;., x. 
6. Low in scale or rank; of humble origin, 
grade, or station ; wanting dignity or estima- 
tion; mean; lowly: as, base menials. 
Base things of the world, and things which are despised, 
hath God chosen. 1 Cor. i. 28. 
Tis the plague of great ones ; 
Prerogative!! are they less than the base. 
Shak., Othello, iii. 3. 
7. Suitable to or characteristic of a low con- 
dition; depressed; abject: as, base servility. 
I am fire and air ; my other elements 
I give to baser life. Shot., A. and C., v. 2. 
8. Of mean spirit ; morally low ; without dig- 
nity of sentiment: said of persons. 
Base is the slave that pays. Slink., Hen. V., ii. 1. 
The base and abject multitude. /uniw. 
9. Showing or proceeding from a mean spirit : 
said of things. 
Him that utter'd nothing base. 
Tennyson, To the Queen. 
The one bate thing in the universe to receive favors 
and to render none. Jiuierson, Compensation. 
10. Of illegitimate birth ; born out of wedlock. 
Why bastard? wherefore base! Shak., Lear, i. 2. 
I din'il with S' Bob' Fasten, since Earle of Yarmouth, 
and saw the Duke of Verneuille, bane brother to the Q. 
Mother. Evelyn, Diary, June 23, 1665. 
11. Deep; grave: applied to sounds: as, the 
base tones of a viol. See bass 3 . 
The silver sounding instruments did meet 
With the base murmure of the waters fall. 
Spenser, F. Q., II. xii. 71. 
12. In old Eng. law, not held or holding by 
honorable tenure : as, a base estate, that is, an 
estate held by services not honorable nor in 
capite, or by villeinage. Such a tenure is called 
base or low, and the tenant a base tenant. 
13. Not classical or refined : as, "base Latin," 
Fuller. 
No Muses aide me needes heretoo to call ; 
Base is the style, and matter meane withall. 
Spenser, Mother Hub. Tale, 1. 44. 
Base bullion. See bullion. Base court. See base- 
court. Base fee, Infeftment, right, etc. See the nouns. 
Base metals. See metal. = Syn. Ignoble, vulgar, ple- 
beian, mean, contemptible, despicable, abject, sordid, 
groveling, servile, slavish, menial, rascally, villainous. 
II. n. If. A plaited skirt, reaching from the 
waist to the knee, worn during the first half of 
the sixteenth 
century. In civil 
costume it was ap- 
S ended to the 
oublet, or secur- 
ed to the girdle; 
it was also worn 
over armor. 
2f. A skirt of 
plate - armor, 
corrugated or 
ribbed vertical- 
ly, as if in imi- 
tation of the 
preceding. See 
lowboys. 3f. 
The skirt of a 
Woman's Outer Base of rich stuff, the border embroidered ; 
mi beginning of i6th century. From lomb of 
garment. The Maximilian I. at Innspruck. 
word was used 
throughout the seventeenth and part of the 
eighteenth century. 4f. An apron. 
With gauntlets blue and banes white. 
S. Butler, Hudibras, I. ii. 768. 
Bakers In their linen basts. Marriott. 
5f. The housing of a horse : used in the six- 
teenth and seventeenth centuries. 
The bases and bardes of their horse were grene sattyn. 
Hall, Hen. VIII., an. 1. 
Or to describe races and games, . . . 
Bises and tinsel trappings, gorgeous knights 
At joust and tournament. MUton, P. L., ix. 36. 
6. In music, same as bass 3 . 
base 1 ! (bas), v. t. [< base^, a., but in first 
sense < F. baisser, lower, < bas, low, base. Cf. 
abase.] 1. To let down; abase; lower. 
The great warrior . . . baxed his arms and ensigns of 
state. Holland. 
