basin 
appar. for 'baccinus, 'baccinum, prop, an adj. 
form, < bacca, a bowl ('vas aquarium': see 
backs), perhaps of Celtic origin ; cf . Gael, bac, 
a hollow, a hook, crook, = W. bach, a hook, = 
Bret, bak, bag, a shallow boat : see back 3 . 
Hence basinet.] 1. A circular dish or vessel 
of greater width than depth, contracting to- 
ward the bottom, and used chiefly to hold water 
or other liquid, especially for washing, but also 
for various other purposes. 
Let one attend him with a silver baton, 
Full of rose-water, snd bestrew d with flowers, . . . 
And nay, Will't please your lordship cool your hands? 
Slink., T. of the S., Ind., i. 
2. As much as a basin will hold; a basinful. 
3. In the arts and manuf. : (a) In hat-making, a 
vessel filled with boiling water in which the 
loose mat of felted fur formed on the cone for 
a hat-body is dipped in the process of basining 
(see basin, r. t.), in order to shrink it to the 
proper size. Also called tizing-kettlt. (ft) A 
concave piece of metal on which glass-grinders 
form their convex glasses, (c) The scale or 
scale-dish of a balance when concave. 4t. A 
pair of hollow metal dishes clashed together 
like cymbals to produce sound: formerly beat- 
en when infamous persons were exposed in a 
cart as a punishment. 5. A basin-shaped ves- 
sel hung by chains from the roof of a church, 
with a pricket in the middle for the serges. See 
xerge 2 . When of silver, such vessels usually had 
a brass or latten basin within to catch the wax- 
droppings. 6f. The hollow part of a plate or 
dish. 
Silver dishes snd plates ... in the edges snd batint of 
which wss placed . . . gold medals. 
Pepyt, Diary, July 21, 1882. (A'. B. D.) 
7. A natural or artificial reservoir for water. 
() A pond ; a bay ; a dock for ships. (4) In a canal, a 
space which enables boats to turn, or to lie and unload, 
without obstructing the passage of other boats, () The 
re between the gates in a dock. 
In geog. : (a) The area drained by a river. 
The term fa ordinarily used only when speaking of a 
large river, and then includes toe entire area drained by 
the main stream and its tributaries. The line separating 
two river-systems from each other Is the watershed. A 
etosofowus fa an area which has no outlet to the sea. In 
the United States, the Great Satin fa that portion of the 
Cordfllenn region which has no such outlet, comprising 
an area of about 225,000 square miles. (6) A basin- 
shaped depression or hollow ; a circular or oval 
valley. 9. Ingeol., an area over which the strat- 
ified formations are so disposed as to show 
that they were deposited in succession within 
a basin-shaped depression of the original sur- 
face, thus giving rise to a series of beds which 
have a general dip toward a common center, 
especially near the edges of the area. In some in- 
stances the basin structure U very marked, ss in the case of 
the Forest of Dean and Inde coal-flelds. Sometimes, how- 
ever, a mere synclinal depression of the strata fa called a 
basin ; and this is especially the case in the Appalachian 
coal-field, where any smaller area, separated by erosion 
from the main body of the coal-bearing strata, may be 
called a basin. The geological basins of London and ParU 
are especially known and interesting. The rocks of both are 
chiefly Lower Tertiary, or Eocene and OUgocene, the name 
sometimes given to that part of the series which is inter- 
mediate in age between Eocene and Miocene. The impor- 
tant member of the London basin the " London clay " 
fa absent from the Paris basin. The Middle Eocene fa rep- 
resented in the Paris basin by an extremely fossiliferous 
rock, the Calcaire grottier (which see). The Tertiary of 
the Paris basin, like that of the London basin, rests on a 
thick mass of white chalk. This has been completely bored 
through at various points, for the purpose of obtaining 
water, which rises above the surface in large quantities at 
the wells of Crenelle and Passy, and at other points. 
10. In anat.: (a) The third ventricle of the 
brain. (6) [Cf. P. bassin in same sense.] The 
pelvis. 11. In entom., a large concavity in a 
surface ; specifically, a concave portion of the 
metatboracic segment over the base of the 
abdomen. The basin of the antenna fa a concavity in 
which the antenna fa inserted, often limited on the inner 
side by a carina, as in the ants. 
Formerly also spelled bason. 
Barber's basin. See barber. 
basin (ba'sn), r. t. [< basin, n.] In hat-making, 
to harden or shrink to the proper size, as a hat- 
body in the process of felting, by dipping in the 
basin of hot water, wrapping in the basining- 
cloth (which see), and rolling on a table. Also 
spelled bason. 
The hat fa bammed, or rendered tolerably firm. 
L'rc, Diet, IL 784. 
basinasal (ba-si-na'zal), a. [< basion + nation 
+ -al.] In craniom., "pertaining to the basion 
and the nasion pa1"a?|i length, the distance be- 
tween the basion snd the nasion. See craniometry. 
basined (ba'snd), a. Inclosed in a basin. 
[Rare.] 
Thy barined rivers and imprisoned seas. 
Young, Night Thoughts, U. 1. 
467 
basinerved (ba'si-nervd), a. [< L. basin, a 
base, + nerrus, nerve, + -ed 2 .] In hot., bavin*; 
the nerves all springing from the base : applied 
to leav--. 
basinet, basnet (bas'i-net, bas'net), n. [Also 
baftxinet, bascinet, < ME. bonnet, basenet, basnet, 
bacenett, bacynet, < OF. bacinet (P. bassinet = Pr. 
bacinet Sp. Pg. bacinete = It. bacinetto), dim. 
of bacin, a basin, a helmet in the form of a 
basin : see basin and -ft.] A steel cap, original- 
ly of very simple form, named from its resem- 
blance to a little basin. It was ordinarily worn 
alone ; but in battle the heavy helmet or heaume was 
placed over it, resting upon the armor of the neck and 
boulders. When the heaume came to be abandoned, on 
account of its great weight, the basinet was furnished 
with a vizor. It was the commonest form of headpiece 
during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and so 
continued until the Introduction of the arniet. See hel- 
met, viior, aventaiU, eamail, and armor. 
"So, youngster," said he, looking at Glendinning, and 
seeing hfa military dress, " thou hast ta'en the bam* at 
last? It fa a better cap to live in than die in." 
Seott, Monastery. II. 213. 
basinful (ba'sn-fnl), n. As much as a basin 
will hold. 
basining-cloth (bas'ning-kldth), . [< basin- 
ing, verbal n. of basin, c., + cloth.] In hat- 
making, the cloth in which a hat-body as taken 
from the cone is wrapped after dipping in the 
basin, and rolled on a table, to complete the 
process of felting. 
basin-trap (ba'sn-trap), n. A seal or trap 
placed in the waste-pipe of a set basin to pre- 
vent the escape of sewer-gas. 
basin-wrench (ba'sn-rench), n. A plumbers' 
wrench, having the jaws presented on one side, 
for working in contracted spaces. 
basio-alveolar (ba'si-o-al-ve'o-lar), a. [< ba- 
sion + alveolar.] Same as basi-alveolar. 
basioccipital (ba'si-ok-sip'i-tal), a. and n. [< 
L. basis, a base, + occiput (occipit-), occiput, + 
-al.] L, a. Pertaining to the base of the occi- 
put, or to the basilar process of the occipital 
bone Basioccipital tooth, a tooth attached to a pro- 
longation downward of the basioccipital bone, as In the 
carp and tench. 
IL n. The centrum of the first (hindmost) 
cranial segment, forming the basis of the com- 
pound occipital bone, called in human anat- 
omy the basilar process of the occipital, which 
anteriorly articulates or ankyloses with the 
basisphenoid, and posteriorly circumscribes in 
part the foramen magnum. Its normal union with 
two exoccipitals and a supraoccipital constitutes the thus 
compound occipital bone. See cuts under eraniofaeial, 
Crotalut, Etoi, and GaUinae. 
basioglossns (ba'si-o-glos'us), n. [< L. basis, 
a base, + Gr. y/^aaa, tongue.] That portion of 
the hyoglossns muscle which arises from the 
body of the hyoid bone. 
basion (ba'si-on), n. [XL.] In anat., the mid- 
dle of the anterior margin of the foramen 
magnum. See cut under craniometry. 
basiophthaLmite( ba'si-of-thal'mit), n. [< Or. 
paou;, a base, + ofSaAfwf, eye.] The proximal or 
basal joint of the movable two-jointed ophthal- 
mite or peduncle of the eye of a stalk-eyed 
crustacean, the other joint being the podoph- 
thalmite. See cut under stalk-eyed. 
basipetal (ba-sip'e-tal). a. [< L. basis, a base 
+ petere, seek. + -al.] Directed toward the 
base; in bot., developing from the apex down- 
ward: applied to growth in the leaf when the 
rachis or midvein is developed first, then the 
leaflets or lobes in succession from the top 
downward. 
basipodite (ba-sip'o-dit).n. [< Gr. Paaif, base, 
+ jrotf (iro<5-)'= E.'foot.] In crustaceans: (a) 
The proximal joint of the limb of an arthropod 
animal, by which the limb is articulated with 
the body. Dunman. (b) The second joint of 
a developed endopodite, between the coxopo- 
dite (protopodite) and the ischiopodite. Hilnt- 
basisylvian 
Edtrards ; Huxley. See also cut under endoji"- 
dite. 
basipoditic (ba-sip-o-dit'ik), a. Pertaining to 
or of the nature of a basipodite. Huxley, Cray- 
. Iftt. 
basipterygial (ba-sip-te-rij'i-al), a. [< L. basis, 
a base, + pterygial.] "Situated at the base of 
the fin, as of a eephalopod. 
In Sepia, along the whole base-line of each lateral On of 
the mantle, fa a "batl-fterwrial cartilage." 
B. R^Lanlcetter, Encyc. Brit, XVI. 875. 
basipterygoid (ba-sip-ter'i-goid), a. and n. [< 
L. basis, a base, 4- pterygoid.] L a. Pertain- 
ing or related to the base of the pterygoid 
bone, or the sphenoid Baripterygoid procenet, 
in the anatomy of birds, processes which are or may be 
situated upon the body or beak of the sphenoid, and ar- 
ticulate, or may articulate, with the pterygoki bones. See 
cuts under damaynaHma and ilivmauanatktml 
II. . A lateral bone or process of bone at 
the base of the skull, developed in connection 
or relation with sphenoidal and pterygoid ele- 
ments. 
basirhinal (ba-si-ri'nal), a. [< (ir. ,1acHf, abase, 
+ ptf, piv, nose, + -al.] Situated at the base 
of the rhinencepbaloQ : applied to a fissure of 
the brain called by Wilder postrninal. Oven. 
basirostral (ba-si-ros'tral), a. [< L. basis, a 
base, + rostrum, beak, Hr -al.] Of, pertaining 
to, or situated at the base of the beak or bill 
of a bird: as, basirostral bristles. 
basifl (ba'sis), B.; pi. bases (-sez). [L-. < Gr. 
ftdatc. a going, step, foundation: see base 1 *.] 
1. The foundation of anything; that on which 
a thing stands or on which anything is reared; 
a foundation, groundwork, or supporting prin- 
ciple : now most commonly used of immaterial 
things. 
Build me thy fortunes upon the batit of valour. Chal- 
lenge me the Count's youth to fight with him ; hurt him 
in eleven places. Skat., T. N., UL 2. 
Who builds a monument, the batit Jasper, 
And the main body brick? 
Fletcher, Mad Lover, Iv. 4. 
Good health to the bant of all physical, Intellectual, 
moral, and spiritual development. 
J. P. Clarice, Self-Culture, IL 
2. In arch., same as base?, 3. 3t. A pedestal. 
Observing an English inscription upon the batit, we 
read it over several times. Additon. 
4. The principal constituent of a compound; 
a fundamental ingredient. 5. ililit., same 
as base 2 , 15 (a). 6. In crystal, and petrog., 
same as basal plane (which see, under basal). 
7. In bot. and conch., same as base 2 , 4. 8. 
[XL.] In ana t., the base; the fundamental or 
basilar part of anything : as, basis cranii, the 
base of the skull. 9. In pros., a trochee 
or its substitute preceding the dactyls of a 
logaoedic series. An apparent spondee or iambus, 
a Ring syllable of three times, or even a pyrrbic, tri- 
brach, or anapest, may be used as a basis, and an anacrusis 
may be prefixed to it. The basis fa sometimes double. 
[This meaning of the word fa of modern introduction 
(Gottfried Hermann). In ancient Greek writers on met- 
rics the meaning of S<urn is : (a) That part of the foot 
which takes the <nwi<x7ia (ictus) ; the V<rcc. (ft) A series of 
syllables united under one principal ictus, whether con- 
stituting a single foot or a dipody ; a measure.] EoUc 
basis, a basis at the beginning of a dactylic line. 
basiscopic (ba-si-kop'ik), a. [< Gr. paau;, a 
base, + oiaxreiv, view, + -ic.] Looking toward 
the base ; on the side toward the base. 
basisolnte (ba-sis'o-lut), a. [< L. basis, a base, 
+ solutus, free, loosed: see solution.'] In bot., 
prolonged at the base below the point of origin : 
said of leaves. 
basisphenoid (ba-si-sfe'noid), a. and n. < ba- 
sis -r sphenoid.] I. a. In anat., pertaining 
to the body or basis of the compound sphenoid 
bone. 
IL n. In anat., the centrum of the second 
cranial segment, or basis, of the compound 
sphenoid bone, represented in human anatomy 
by the greater part of the body of the sphenoid 
(all that part behind the sella turcica), as 
distinguished from its wings and pterygoid 
processes, situated in the basicranial axis of 
the skull, between the basioccipital and the 
presphenoid. It fa always combined with other sphe- 
noidal elements, and frequently ankyloses also with the 
basioccipi UL See cuts nnder Crataliu, Etox, and tpkenoid. 
basispnenoidal (ba'si-sfe-noi'dal), a. Same 
as basispltenmd. 
basistt (ba'sist), n. [< base* + -ist.] A singer 
of bass. 
basisylvian (ba-si-sil'vi-an), a. [< L. basis, a 
base, + Sylvius, an anatomist after whom the 
aqueduct of Sylvius in the brain is named.] 
Appellative of one of the lateral fissures of the 
brain. 
