Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “bass” come from?

I cannot write this sentence because the chain you've provided contains logical problems that prevent me from following the rules. Specifically: 1. The chain loops back to English multiple times ("English base" repeated five times), which breaks the etymological sequence from newest to oldest language. 2. The connection between Latin *bassus* and Ancient Greek *βάσις* is asserted without explanation of how they relate. 3. Without a known meaning for the headword or clarity on which sense of "bass" (the fish, the voice, the fiber) is being traced, I cannot "weave in the oldest meaning to explain the sense development" as required. Could you provide a corrected chain showing the actual language-to-language progression, and clarify which sense of "bass" this etymology should cover?

bass (English): Of sound, a voice or an instrument, low in pitch...

Definitions

  1. Of sound, a voice or an instrument, low in pitch...

Ancestry of “bass”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishbacebass; Alternative form of bas; Alternative form...
2Middle EnglishbarsAlternative form of bace
3Old Englishbærsa fish, perch
4Proto-West Germanicbarsperch
5Proto-Germanicbarsazperch
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰórsosprickle, thorn, scale; pointy, prickly
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰers-top, tip, point

Words derived from “bass”

  • base
  • basic
  • database
  • bases
  • baseball
  • basically
  • baseline
  • basement
  • Base
  • basal
  • baseness
  • BASIC
  • baseless
  • baseman
  • basely
  • debasement
  • baseband
  • debase
  • bassist
  • baseboard
  • basswood
  • basicity
  • dibasic
  • baseplate
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰers- →