bas-relief

noun

bas-re·lief ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf How to pronounce bas-relief (audio)

ˌbas-,

ˌbās-;

ˈbä-ri-ˌlēf,

ˈbas-,

ˈbās-

art : sculptural relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6) in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut (see undercut entry 1 sense 2)

also : sculpture executed in bas-relief

a limestone bas-relief of a female figure

Did you know?

The best way to understand the meaning of bas-relief is to see one—and the easiest way to do that is to look at a penny, nickel, or other coin and examine the raised images on it; they're all bas-reliefs. English speakers adopted bas-relief from French (where bas means "low" and relief means "raised work") during the mid-1600s; earlier, we borrowed the synonymous basso-relievo from Italian. The French and Italian terms have common ancestors (and, in fact, the French word is likely a translation of the Italian), but English speakers apparently borrowed the two independently. Bas-relief is more prevalent in English today, although the Italian-derived term has not disappeared completely from the language.

Word History

Etymology

French, from bas low + relief raised work

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

单词	bas-relief
释义	bas-relief noun bas-re·lief ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf ˌbas-, ˌbās-; ˈbä-ri-ˌlēf, ˈbas-, ˈbās- art : sculptural relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6) in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut (see undercut entry 1 sense 2) also : sculpture executed in bas-relief a limestone bas-relief of a female figure Illustration of bas-relief Did you know? The best way to understand the meaning of bas-relief is to see one—and the easiest way to do that is to look at a penny, nickel, or other coin and examine the raised images on it; they're all bas-reliefs. English speakers adopted bas-relief from French (where bas means "low" and relief means "raised work") during the mid-1600s; earlier, we borrowed the synonymous basso-relievo from Italian. The French and Italian terms have common ancestors (and, in fact, the French word is likely a translation of the Italian), but English speakers apparently borrowed the two independently. Bas-relief is more prevalent in English today, although the Italian-derived term has not disappeared completely from the language. Word History Etymology French, from bas low + relief raised work First Known Use 1667, in the meaning defined above
随便看	mummifying mumming mummings mummock mumms mummy mummy apple mummy bag mummy berry mummy brown mummy case mummy cloth mummy pot mummy wheat mummychog mummying mummyings mump mumped mumper mumpers mumping mumpish mumps mumpsimus

bas-relief

noun

Illustration of bas-relief

Did you know?

Word History