English word bass comes from Proto-Indo-European *gʷem-, Late Latin bassus, and later Proto-Indo-European *gʷémtis (Step, act of walking.)
You can also see our other etymologies for the English word bass. Currently you are viewing the etymology of bass with the meaning: (Noun Adjective Verb) (musical instrument) An instrument that plays in the bass range, in particular a double bass, bass guitar, electric bass or bass synthesiser.. A low spectrum of sound tones.. A male singer who [...](musical instrument) An instrument that plays in the bass range, in particular a double bass, bass guitar, electric bass or bass synthesiser.. A low spectrum of sound tones.. A male singer who [...]
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *gʷem- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | to go, come, to come, go, come, go |
| bassus | Late Latin (LL) | |
| *gʷémtis | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | Step, act of walking. |
| *gʷə́tis | Proto-Hellenic (grk-pro) | Step. |
| βάσις | Ancient Greek (grc) | |
| bassus | Latin (lat) | (Late Latin, Medieval Latin) thick, fat, stumpy, short, low, base. |
| basso | Italian (ita) | (music) bass (all senses); bass guitar. (music) basso. Bottom, lower part Low (figuratively) base. (of light) faint. (of position) low, lower, lowered. (of water) shallow. Low. Narrow, thin. Short (in height). |
| bass | English (eng) | (musical instrument) An instrument that plays in the bass range, in particular a double bass, bass guitar, electric bass or bass synthesiser.. A low spectrum of sound tones.. A male singer who sings in the bass range.. A section of musical group that produces low-pitched sound, lower than the baritone and tenor.. The clef sign that indicates that the pitch of the notes is below middle C; a [...] |