Also 9 bassinett(e. [a. F. bassinet, diminutive of bassin BASIN; see BASINET.]
1. Variant of BASINET.
† 2. Herb. Name given to species of Ranunculus and Geranium, and to the Marsh Marigold. Obs.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 32. The Braue Bassinet, or Marshe Marigolde. Ibid., 47. Bassinet Geranium or Crowfoote.
1629. Parkinson, Parad. (1656), 230. Some [Geraniums] are called in many places of England Bassinets.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Bassinets, The yellow Bassinet grows usually upon a small Stalk.
3. An oblong wickerwork basket, with a hood over one end, used as a cradle for babies. Also, a form of child’s perambulator of the same shape.
1854. Thackeray, Newcomes, II. 122. The cradle or what I believe is called the bassinet of Master Pendennis.
1862. Macm. Mag., July, 258. A row of bassinetts … indicated possibilities of sleep.
a. 1878. P’cess Alice, Mem., 85. Victoria sleeps in the bassinet, which is done up with chintz.
attrib. 1883. Daily News, 18 Sept., 8/3. Very handsome Bassinette Perambulator … fitted with … brass-jointed hood.
