subs. (common).—1. Bass’ ale: brewed at Burton-on-Trent.
1853. REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, 23. The young gentleman exhibited great capacity for the beer of BASS, and the porter of Guinness.
1863. OUDIA, Held in Bondage, I. 65. Those idle lads in the Temple, who smoke cavendish and drink BASS. Ibid., 126. Discussing BASS and a cold luncheon.
1868. M. E. BRADDON, Only a Clod, I. 138. A lot of fellows drinking no end of BASS.
18[?]. ANNIE THOMAS, A Passion in Tatters, I. 110. Washed down by ‘BASS’ that was not worthy of its name.
2. (old).—A kiss: also BUSS (q.v.). Also as verb.
c. 1450. Court Love, cxiv., s.v.; c. 1500. The Booke of Mayd Emlyn, 26, s.v.; d. 1529. SKELTON, My Darling dere, 9, s.v.
1530. Calisto and Melibæa [DODSLEY], Old Plays (HAZLITT), I. 74. Thus they kiss and BASS.
1562. HEYWOOD, Proverbs and Epigrams (1867), 57. He must nedes BASSE hir.
1570. Wit and Science (1848), 13.
| Wyt. Ye, let hym bee, | |
| I doo not passe! | |
| Cum now, a basse! | |
| Hon. Rec. Nay, syr, as for BASSYS, | |
| From hence none passys, | |
| But as in gage | |
| Of mary-age. |
