Obs.; also 5–6 basse, 6 bas. [prob. f. BASS v.1: cf. L. bāsium, Pr. bais, It. bacio, Sp. beso, kiss. The OF. equivalent *bais is not found, and its Eng. repr. would be beace (cf. OF. pais, Eng. peace). Cf. also BUSS.] A kiss.
c. 1450. Crt. Love, cxiv. If the basse ben full there is delight.
a. 1529. Skelton, My Darling dere, 9. With ba, ba, ba, and bas, bas, bas, She cheryshed hym both cheke and chyn.
1570. Play Wit & Sc. (1848), 13. Nay, Syr, as for basses, From hence none passes But as in gage Of mary-age.
