bas-relief

noun

bas-re·lief ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf How to pronounce bas-relief (audio)

ˌbas-,

ˌbās-;

ˈbä-ri-ˌlēf,

ˈbas-,

ˈbās-

art : sculptural relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6) in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut (see undercut entry 1 sense 2)

also : sculpture executed in bas-relief

a limestone bas-relief of a female figure

Did you know?

The best way to understand the meaning of bas-relief is to see one—and the easiest way to do that is to look at a penny, nickel, or other coin and examine the raised images on it; they're all bas-reliefs. English speakers adopted bas-relief from French (where bas means "low" and relief means "raised work") during the mid-1600s; earlier, we borrowed the synonymous basso-relievo from Italian. The French and Italian terms have common ancestors (and, in fact, the French word is likely a translation of the Italian), but English speakers apparently borrowed the two independently. Bas-relief is more prevalent in English today, although the Italian-derived term has not disappeared completely from the language.

Word History

Etymology

French, from bas low + relief raised work

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

单词	bas-relief
释义	bas-relief noun bas-re·lief ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf ˌbas-, ˌbās-; ˈbä-ri-ˌlēf, ˈbas-, ˈbās- art : sculptural relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6) in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut (see undercut entry 1 sense 2) also : sculpture executed in bas-relief a limestone bas-relief of a female figure Illustration of bas-relief Did you know? The best way to understand the meaning of bas-relief is to see one—and the easiest way to do that is to look at a penny, nickel, or other coin and examine the raised images on it; they're all bas-reliefs. English speakers adopted bas-relief from French (where bas means "low" and relief means "raised work") during the mid-1600s; earlier, we borrowed the synonymous basso-relievo from Italian. The French and Italian terms have common ancestors (and, in fact, the French word is likely a translation of the Italian), but English speakers apparently borrowed the two independently. Bas-relief is more prevalent in English today, although the Italian-derived term has not disappeared completely from the language. Word History Etymology French, from bas low + relief raised work First Known Use 1667, in the meaning defined above
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bas-relief

noun

Illustration of bas-relief

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Word History