Defn: Lydian stone, or black jasper, a variety of siliceous or flinty slate, of a grayish or bluish black color. It is employed to test the purity of gold, the amount of alloy being indicated by the color left on the stone when rubbed by the metal.
BASBLEU
Bas`bleu", n. Etym: [F., fr. bas stocking + bleu blue.]
Defn: A bluestocking; a literary woman. [Somewhat derisive]
BASCINET Bas"ci*net, n. Etym: [OE. bacinet, basnet, OF. bassinet, bacinet, F. bassinet, dim. of OF. bacin, F. bassin, a helmet in the form of a basin.]
Defn: A light helmet, at first open, but later made with a visor.
[Written also basinet, bassinet, basnet.]
BASCULE
Bas"cule, n. Etym: [F., a seesaw.]
Defn: In mechanics an apparatus on the principle of the seesaw, in which one end rises as the other falls. Bascule bridge, a counterpoise or balanced drawbridge, which is opened by sinking the counterpoise and thus lifting the footway into the air.
BASE
Base, a. Etym: [OE. bass, F. bas, low, fr. LL. bassus thick, fat,
short, humble; cf. L. Bassus, a proper name, and W. bas shallow. Cf.
Bass a part in music.]
1. Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs. [Archaic] Shak.
2. Low in place or position. [Obs.] Shak.