• BAS
n. c1450 obs. – a kiss
• BASACKWARDS
adv. E20 US colloq. & sl. – done the wrong way
• BASAL
adj. 1865 – fundamental
• BASALLY
adv. 1882 – as a basis, fundamentally
• BA-SANG!
int. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an exclamation of surprise
• BASARE
n. c1375 obs. – an executioner
• BAS BLEU
n. 1801 obs. – a ‘blue-stocking” a literary lady
• BASCAL
n. 1931 Amer. dial. – a member of the Basque community; used as an affectionate nickname
• BASCAUDAL
adj. 1870 – pert. to a basket or basket-work
• BASCO
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a member of the Basque community; used as an affectionate nickname
• BASE
adj. 1. 1393 arch. – low; of small height
adj. 2. c1440 obs. – occupying a low position; low-lying; of lower situation than neighbouring parts
adj. 3. 1490 arch. – low in the social scale, of lowly condition, plebeian; belonging to the ‘lower orders’
adj. 4. 1525 obs. – low, below it’s usual height
adj. 5. 1533 obs. – deep-coloured, dark
adj. 6. 1570-87 – illegitimate, bastard
adj. 7. 1599 obs. rare – of price: low, cheap
n. 1. c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – bass, a fish
n. 2. 1544 obs. – the smallest kind of cannon used in the 16th-17th centuries; diameter of bore 1.25 in., weight 200 lb., weight of shot 0.5lb
n. 3. 1591 obs. – a bastard
n. 4. c1605 obs. – an apron
n. 5. 1611 obs. – bastardy; illegitimacy
n. 6. 1863 Amer. dial. – lines sung by the chorus in gospel singing
n. 7. 1967 Amer. dial. – the starting line in marble games
n. 8. 1982 US drug culture sl. – basic cocaine from which the hydrochloride has been removed
n. 9. 2001 drug culture sl. – amphetamine
vb. 1. c1375 obs. – to lower, to bring, cast, or lay down
vb. 2. 1538 obs. – to lower in rank, condition, or character; to debase, to humble, to depose, to degrade
vb. 3. 1581 obs. – to lessen in amount or value, to depreciate
vb. 4. 1970 African-American usage – to disparage or ridicule; to confront someone
vb. 5. 1987 US drug culture sl. – to smoke freebase cocaine
• BASEBALL BAT
n. 1999 Aust. sl. – the penis
• BASEBALL BUM
n. 1949 US sl. – in craps: the number nine
• BASEBALLER
n. 1. 1888 – one who plays baseball
n. 2. 1992 US sl. – drug user who smokes freebase cocaine
• BASEBALLING
n. 1970s US drug culture sl. – use of ‘free base,’ a form of pure cocaine
• BASEBALLIST
n. 1868 – one who plays baseball
• BASEBALL TEAM
n. 1987 US sl. – group of gambling cheats who work in casinos
• BASE-BEGOTTEN
adj. 1793 Amer. dial. – born out of wedlock
• BASE-BEGOTTEN CHILD
n. 20C US colloq. – an illegitimate child
• BASEBORN
adj. 1946 Amer. dial. – born out of wedlock
• BASE-CHILD
n. 1689 Eng. dial. – an illegitimate child
• BASE CRAZIES
n. 1989 US drug culture sl. – obsessive searching behaviour for the smallest particle of cocaine or crack experienced by freebase cocaine users
• BASED
adj. 1592 obs. – lowered
• BASE HEAD
n. 1986 US drug culture sl. – a regular smoker of freebase cocaine
• BASEKEEPER
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – in various children’s games: “it”; the person who must chase or catch the other players
• BASEL
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to rush about; to run in a hurried and laborious manner
• BASE LINE
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – the starting line in marble games
• BASELING
n. 1618 obs. rare – a base creature
• BASELY
adv. 1. c1500 obs. – in a low position, low down
adv. 2. 1562 obs. – in a low tone, softly, quietly
adv. 3. 1583 obs. – in humble rank of life; illegitimately
adv. 4. 1584 obs. – at small value or esteem, meanly; cheaply
• BASEMAN
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – in various children’s games: “it”; the person who must chase or catch the other players
• BASEMENT
n. 1966 Amer. euphemism – a toilet room in a public school
• BASEMENTS
n. 1994 S. Afr. sl. – shoes
• BASENESS
n. 1. 1605 obs. – illegitimacy of birth
n. 2. 1609 obs. – lowness or feebleness in sound; deepness in tone
• BASER
n. 1. c1375 obs. – an executioner
n. 2. 1867 Amer. dial. – in gospel singing: a member of the chorus; also, lines sung by the chorus
n. 3. 1989 US drug culture sl. – a user of freebase cocaine
• BASERY
n. 1637 obs. rare – base dealing, dishonourable practice
• BASE-SON
n. 19C Eng. dial. – an illegitimate son
• BASES-OUT!
int. 1963 Amer. dial. – in marbles: a call for permission to kick one’s shooter away from an undesirable position such as being by a tree or a wall
• BASETRY
n. 1462 obs. – ambassadry; the mission of function of an ambassador
• BASH
adj. 1. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – shy, bashful
adj. 2. 2002 UK sl. – exciting, lively, attractive
n. 1. 1805 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a heavy blow
n. 2. Bk1898 Sc. – a dint caused by a blow
n. 3. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – the palm of the hand
n. 4. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – the front of the head of a bull or a pig
n. 5. 1948 sl. orig. US – a good time; a spree; a party
vb. 1. c1375 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to destroy the confidence or self-possession of; to daunt, to dismay, to discomfit; to disconcert, to put out of countenance, to abash
vb. 2. c1460 obs. – to be ashamed or abashed
vb. 3. 1790 Sc. & Eng. dial. – to hit, to beat, to strike, to crush, to smash
vb. 4. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to lose flesh, to become sickly, to fall off in appetite, etc.
• BASHAW
n. 1593 – a grandee; a haughty, imperious man
• BASH AWAY
vb. 1881 Eng. dial. – to work vigorously
• BASHED
adj. 1. c1440 obs. – abashed, disconcerted, dismayed
adj. 2. 1856 Eng. dial. – bruised, dinted
adj. 3. Bk2007 US sl. – drunk
• BASHEDNESS
n. c1440 obs. – abashment, bashfulness
• BASHER
n. 1. 1882 – one who gives, or strikes with, a smashing blow; a pugilist
n. 2. E20 Brit. sl. – a lecher, a fornicator
n. 3. 1940 Brit. sl., orig. services’ usage – someone with the stated duties, occupation, etc., as a ‘cookhouse basher’
n. 4. 1987 UK sl. – a shelter or shack made of cardboard, paper, plastic, etc., and lived in by a tramp or homeless person
• BASHFUL
adj. 1. 1552 obs. – wanting in self-possession, daunted, dismayed
adj. 2. 1559 obs. – exciting a feeling of shame
• BASHFULLY
adv. 1552 obs. – without self-possession; with misgiving or dismay
• BASHING
n. 1940 Brit. services’ sl. – arduous work, esp. of the specified sort
• BASHLESS
adj. 1578 obs. – unabashed, shameless, unblushing, bold
• BASHMENT
n. 1. c1325 obs. – confusion from surprise or sudden check; discomfiture, shame
n. 2. Bk2007 UK teen sl. – a party, a dance, a rave
• BASH-RAG
n. c1600 obs. rare –? a ragamuffin
• BASH SOMEONE’S EAR
vb. 1. 1940s sl., orig. Aust. & NZ – to talk incessantly
vb. 2. 1940s sl., orig. Aust. & NZ – to subject to one’s opinions, grievances, etc.
• BASH SOMEONE UP
vb. 1954 Brit. sl. – to hit repeatedly; to assault by hitting
• BASH THE BISHOP
vb. L19 sl. – to masturbate
• BASH THE CANDLE
vb. 1990s sl. – to masturbate
• BASH THE LIVING MOSES OUT OF
vb. M19 sl. – to beat severely
• BASH THE PRIEST
vb. L19 sl. – to masturbate
• BASH THE SPINE
vb. 1940s Aust. sl. – to idle, to waste time, to loaf around
• BASH THE STICK
vb. 1950s Aust. sl. – to masturbate
• BASH UP
vb. 1. 1920s sl., chiefly UK juvenile usage – to beat up, to thrash
vb. 2. 1940s NZ sl. – to make, to create
vb. 3. 1960s sl. – to hurt
• BASHY
adj. 1. 1790 Eng. dial. – fat, swelled
adj. 2. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – wet, rainy, muddy
adj. 3. 1990s sl. – amazing, wonderful
• BASIAL
adj. Bk1888 – pert. to kissing
► BASIATE vb. to kiss → 1623 obs.
• BASIATION
n. 1879 – kissing
• BASIC
adj. 1970s sl. – unexciting, unexceptional, uneventful
• BASIE
n. 1990s sl. – a baseball bat
• BASIL
n. 1592 obs. – an ‘iron’ or fetter fastened round the ankle of a prisoner
• BASIL BRUSH
n. 1996 UK sl. – marijuana
• BASILEAN
n. c1645 obs. rare – a Royalist
• BASILEIOLATRY
n. 1872 nonce word – king-worship
• BASIL-HAMPERS
n. 1. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a person of short stature, taking short steps, who proceeds slowly
n. 2. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a female whose attire falls awkwardly round her feet
• BASILIC
adj. 1728 obs. rare – kingly, royal, sovereign
n. 1727-51 arch. – orig. a royal place; thence, a large oblong building or hall, with double colonnades and a semicircular apse at the end, used for a court of justice and place of public assembly
• BASILICA
n. 1541 – orig. a royal place; thence, a large oblong building or hall, with double colonnades and a semicircular apse at the end, used for a court of justice and place of public assembly
• BASILICAL
adj. 1652 – kingly, royal, regal
• BASILICOCK
n. 1340 obs. – a fabulous reptile, also called a ‘cockatrice,’ alleged to be hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg; ancient authors stated that its hissing drove away all other serpents, and that its breath and even its look was fatal; a basilisk
• BASILISCAN
adj. c1600 rare – pert. to a basilisk, as ‘basiliscan eyes’
• BASILISCINE
adj. 1855 rare – pert. to a basilisk
• BASILISCO-PROOF
adj. 1649 – proof against eyes, even those of a basilisk; unabashed, shameless
• BASILISK
n. 1. a1300 – a fabulous reptile, also called a ‘cockatrice,’ alleged to be hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg; ancient authors stated that its hissing drove away all other serpents, and that its breath and even its look was fatal
n. 2. 1577 – a large cannon, generally made of brass, and throwing a shot of about 200 pounds weight
• BASILISKIAN
adj. 1828 – pert. to a basilisk
• BASIMECU!
int. 17C Brit. – kiss my ass! (French ‘baise mon cul’)
• BASIN
n. 1. c1300 obs. – a helmet
n. 2. 1662 obs. – the hollow part of a plate or dish
• BASIN CROP
n. World War II Amer. sl. – a close haircut
• BASING
n. 1. c1325 obs. rare – foundation, base
n. 2. 1581 obs. – abasing, debasement
• BASIS
n. 1. 1571 arch. – the bottom of anything, considered as the part on which it rests or is supported; the foundation, base, foot
n. 2. 1601 obs. – a pedestal
n. 3. 1677 obs. – the base of a pillar
• BASK
adj. 1. c1200 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – bitter, acrid, ungrateful or irritating to the senses
adj. 2. 1864 Sc. & Eng. dial. – of fruit: sharp, bitter, rough to the taste
adj. 3. 1893 Sc. – of weather: very dry
vb. 1. 1393 obs. – to bathe, esp. in warm water or liquid; hence, to be suffused with, or swim in, blood, etc.
vb. 2. 1878 Eng. dial. – to beat severely
vb. 3. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to cough asthmatically
vb. 4. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to parch, to shrivel with heat
• BASKE
vb. 1642 obs. – to strike with a bruising blow
• BASKED
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – parched, dry
• BASKET
n. 1. 1895 Eng. dial. – the stomach
n. 2. 20C US sl. – the female genitals
n. 3. 1903 Amer. dial. – a leaky vessel
n. 4. 1936 sl., euphemism of ‘bastard’ – an unpleasant or despicable person, usually male
n. 5. M20 US homosexual sl. – the male genitals considered as a package; the bulging of the genitals when contained in any garment constructed like an athletic supporter
n. 6. 1975 Amer. dial. – a person who can’t keep a secret
vb. 1867 – to reject as unsuitable
• BASKET BUGGY
n. 1863 Amer. dial. – a horse-drawn vehicle with a wicker body
• BASKET CARRIAGE
n. 1863 Amer. dial. – a horse-drawn vehicle with a wicker body
• BASKET CASE
n. 1919 sl., orig. US military – someone who has lost all four limbs
• BASKET DAYS
n. M20 US homosexual sl. – warm weather when clothing revealing the outline of the male genitals is likely to be worn
• BASKETED
adj. 1. L18 sl. – abandoned, ignored, misunderstood, confused
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – dead and buried
• BASKETEER
n. 1866 nonce word – a passenger in the ‘basket’ of a stage-coach (basket – the overhanging back compartment on the outside of a stage-coach)
• BASKET FOR DAYS
phr. M20 US homosexual sl. – a catch phrase describing large male genitals
• BASKET-FORTUNE
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a small fortune
• BASKETLE
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a basketful
• BASKET-MAKER
n. L18 sl. – the vagina; hence, a woman in a sexual context
• BASKET-MAKING
n. L18 Brit. sl. – copulation
• BASKET MAN
n. 1930s US criminals’ sl. – a graft collector for a criminal gang
• BASKET NAME
n. 1949 Amer. dial. – a nickname given to a child at birth
• BASKET OF ORANGES
n. L19 sl., orig. Aust. – an attractive woman
• BASKET PARTY
n. 1970s US homosexual sl. – a man with large genitals
• BASKET PHAETON
n. 1863 Amer. dial. – a horse-drawn vehicle with a wicker body
• BASKET PICNIC
n. 1940s homosexual sl. – staring at other men’s genitals while wandering the streets
• BASKET-SCRAMBLER
n. 1647 – one who scrambles for the dole from a basket, i.e. who lives on charity → obs.
• BASKET WAGON
n. 1863 – a horse-drawn vehicle with a wicker body → Amer. dial.
• BASKING
n. 1. 1642 – a beating, a thrashing, flagellation → obs. exc. Eng. dial.
n. 2. 1898 – a drenching in a heavy shower → Eng. dial.
• BASON-CROP
n. 1648 – the method of cutting the hair all round alike → Eng. dial.
• BASS
adj. 1450 – low in sound, barely audible, soft → obs.
n. 1450 – a kiss → obs.
vb. 1500 – to kiss → obs.
• BASS-ACKARD(S)
adv. 1931 – backwards; in reversed position or confused order → Amer. colloq.
• BASS-ACKWARD(S)
adv. 1930 – backwards; in reversed position or confused order; head over heels → Amer. colloq.
• BASSADE
n. 1532 – the mission or function of an ambassador; an ambassador and his suite → obs.
• BASSALON
n. 1952 – a ragged man → Amer. dial.
• BASSAND
adj. 1725 – of animals: having a white spot or streak on the face → Sc.
• BASSATOUR
n. 1400 – an ambassador → obs.
• BASSE
n. 1450 – a kiss → obs.
vb. 1500 – to kiss → obs.
• BASSED
adj. 1. 2003 – beaten up → Black British sl.
adj. 2. 2007 – baffled, confused, incapable → UK sl. (Bk.)
• BASSER
n. 1552 – a kisser → obs.
• BASSET
n. 1458 – the mission or function of an ambassador; an ambassador and his suite → obs.
• BASSIE
n. 1. 1789 – an old horse → Sc.
n. 2. 1898 – a horse or cow having a white strip or patch on the face → Sc.
• BASSING
n. 1552 – kissing → obs.
• BASSOCK
vb. 1889 – to beat, to thrash soundly → Eng. dial.
• BASSOCKING
n. 1898 – a beating, a thrashing → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
• BAST
adj. 1330 – bastard, illegitimate → obs.
n. 1. 1297 – bastardy, illegitimacy → obs.
n. 2. 1894 – sanctuary, refuge, asylum
• BASTA!
int. 1596 – enough! no more! → obs.
• BASTANT
adj. 1637 – sufficient, able, capable → obs.
• BASTARD
adj. 1. 1898 – of a child: puny, small, ill-formed → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
adj. 2. 1898 – of trees: female → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
n. 1. ..13C – a child born of unlawful sexual intercourse; a child conceived in haste, as on a bed-roll
n. 2. 1830 – a term of reproach for a mischievous or worthless boy → Eng. dial.
n. 3. 1830 – an unpleasant or despicable person, usually male → sl.
n. 4. 1898 – a gelding → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
n. 5. 1898 – an ill-thriven tree or shrub → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
n. 6. 1938 – something unpleasant or undesirable → sl.
vb. 1. 1549 – to declare or stigmatize as a bastard; to render illegitimate
vb. 2. 1888 – to beget a bastard → obs. (Bk.)
• BASTARD BREAD
n. 1965 – bread made with half meal and half flour → Amer. dial.
• BASTARDED
adj. 1579 – illegitimate, unfathered → obs.
• BASTARDICE
n. 1579 – illegitimacy; falsity → obs.
• BASTARDING
n. 1. 1563 – the act of declaring a child illegitimate → obs.
n. 2. 1677 – the begetting of a bastard → obs.
• BASTARDISE
n. 1579 – illegitimacy; falsity → obs.
• BASTARDISM
n. 1589 – illegitimacy
• BASTARDIZE
vb. 1. 1587 – to make degenerate, to deteriorate, to debase
vb. 2. 1605 – to beget a bastard → obs.
vb. 3. 1611 – to declare or stigmatize as bastard
• BASTARDLINESS
n. 1656 – bastardly or illegitimate quality → obs.
• BASTARDLY
adj. 1. 1552 – of bastard sort; mongrel, base-born → obs.
adj. 2. 1586 – unlicensed, unauthorized; counterfeit, spurious → obs.
adj. 3. 1587 – degenerate, debased, corrupt → obs.
• BASTARDRY
n. 1483 – illegitimacy → obs.
vb. 1644 – to declare illegitimate → obs.
BASTARDY
n. 1. 1292 – the condition of a bastard; illegitimate birth
n. 2. 1577 – begetting of bastards, fornication
n. 3. 1599 – bastards collectively, bastard brood → obs.
• BASTE
n. 1861 – a blow → Eng. dial.
vb. 1. 1533 – to hit repeatedly, to assault by hitting, to beat soundly, to thrash, to flog, to cudgel
vb. 2. 1898 – to conquer, to overcome → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
• BASTE A PERSON’S BACON
vb. 19C – to strike or thrash him
• BASTED
adj. 1. ..E20 – intoxicated with alcohol → US sl.
adj. 2. .M20 – drug intoxicated → US drug culture sl.
• BASTER
n. 1. 1726 – a stick or cudgel; a heavy blow
n. 2. 1900 – something remarkably large for its type → Amer. dial.
• BASTERLY-GULLION
n. 1790 – the illegitimate child of one who is himself illegitimate → Eng. dial. obs.
• BASTI
n. 1913 – a refugee
• BASTICK
n. 1842 – a basket → Eng. dial.
• BASTILE
n. 1859 – the workhouse → Eng. dial.
• BASTILLE
n. 1. 1790 – a prison
n. 2. 1859 – the workhouse → Eng. dial.
vb. 1. 1480 – to fortify a castle → obs.
vb. 2. 1742 – to confine in a bastille; to imprison
• BASTIMENT
n. 1. 1598 – military supplies, stores, provisions → obs.
n. 2. 1679 – a building, a wall → obs.
n. 3. 1740 – a ship, a vessel → obs.
• BASTINADE
n. 1. 1660 – an Eastern method of corporal punishment by beating with a stick the soles of the culprit’s feet → arch.
n. 2. 1660 – a blow with a stick or cudgel; a whack or thwack; esp. one upon the soles of the feet → arch.
n. 3. 1660 – a beating with a stick; a cudgelling → arch.
vb. 1601 – to thrash or thwack with a stick, esp. on the soles of the feet → arch.
• BASTINADO
n. 1. 1577 – a blow with a stick or cudgel; a whack or thwack; esp. one upon the soles of the feet → arch.
n. 2. 1594 – a beating with a stick; a cudgelling → arch.
n. 3. 1598 – a stick, staff, rod, cudgel, truncheon
n. 4. 1726 – an Eastern method of corporal punishment by beating with a stick the soles of the culprit’s feet
vb. 1. 1614 – to beat with a stick; to thrash, to thwack → arch.
vb. 2. 1688 – to beat or cane on the soles of the feet
• BASTINADOING
n. 1614 – cudgelling, thrashing; esp. on the soles of the feet
• BASTING
n. 1590 – a cudgelling, a beating, a thrashing
• BASTING BIG
adv. 1900 – very big; exceptionally large → Amer. dial.
• BASTISH
adj. 1898 – of persons: obstinate → (Bk.)
• BASTO
n. 1881 – the skirt of a saddle; also, the leather lining of a saddle → Amer. dial.
• BASTON
n. 1. 1300 – a staff or stick used as a weapon or a staff of office; a cudgel, a club, a truncheon → obs.
n. 2. 1300 – a stanza, or verse → obs.
n. 3. 1593 – in cards: a club → obs.
vb. 1593 – to beat with a staff or cudgel → obs.
• BASTONADE
n. 1. 1660 – a blow with a stick or cudgel; a whack or thwack; esp. one upon the soles of the feet → arch.
n. 2. 1660 – a beating with a stick; a cudgelling → arch.
n. 3. 1660 – an Eastern method of corporal punishment by beating with a stick the soles of the culprit’s feet → arch.
vb. 1601 – to thrash or thwack with a stick, esp. on the soles of the feet → arch.
• BASTONATE
vb. 1604 – to beat with a staff or cudgel → obs.
• BASTOUS
adj. 1898 – of persons: obstinate → Sc. (Bk.)
• BASTRICH
n. 20C – a curse and a nickname for a despised person → US sl.
• BASTY
adj. 1898 – of weather: droughty and ungenial → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
• BASUCO
n. 1984 – coca paste, the basic ingredient in the manufacturing process of cocaine; hence, cocaine → US drug culture sl.
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Lexicophilia 