Also 7–8 bassett(e. [(a. F. bassette), ad. It. bassetta, f. bassetto somewhat low, dim. of basso low; see BASE a.] An obsolete game at cards, resembling Faro, first played at Venice. Hence basset-table.
1645. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 211. We went to the Chetto de San Felice, to see the noblemen … at Basset, a game at cards which is much used.
1705. Vanbrugh, Confed., I. ii. Advised her to set up a basset-table.
1716. Pope, Basset-t., 85, Poems (1785), 16. Look upon Bassette, you who reason boast; And see if reason must not there be lost.
a. 1718. Rowe, R. Convert, Prol. 8. Not to forget Your Piquet Parties, and your dear Basset.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 347. Gamblers playing deep at basset.
