noun
basset
BA-siht
noun
1
A short-legged, long-eared breed of hound known for its keen sense of smell and droopy face.
"The basset ambled slowly across the yard, nose to the ground."
2
In geology, the point where a rock layer reaches the surface; an outcrop.
"Geologists mapped the basset of the coal seam along the hillside."
verb
1
For a rock layer to slope upward until it reaches the surface.
"The vein bassets near the old quarry entrance."
How to Use Basset
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly means a short-legged hound breed (short for "basset hound"); in geology it describes where an underground rock layer surfaces.
Common mistake
The dog breed is properly "basset hound" — "basset" alone is a shortened form used casually.
Common pairings
basset hound
a coal seam bassets
Word Forms
basseted past tense, bassets plural, Bassets plural, bassets singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “basset”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ ambled slowly across the yard, nose to the ground.
Etymology
From French "basset," meaning "rather low," referring to the dog's short legs.