The Collaborative International Dictionary
Basso \Bas"so\, n. [It., fr. LL. bassus. See Base, a.] (Mus.)
The bass or lowest part; as, to sing basso.
One who sings the lowest part.
-
The double bass, or contrabasso.
Basso continuo. [It., bass continued.] (Mus.) A bass part written out continuously, while the other parts of the harmony are indicated by figures attached to the bass; continued bass.
Wiktionary
n. (context music English) The largest kind of bass viol.
Usage examples of "contrabasso".
Responding to the beginnings of a contrabasso growl, he added, "This last, through no slightest fault of Thoheeks Bahos and his committee, but simply through a dearth of state-slaves, suitable materials on hand where and when needed and difficulty of transporting said materials elsewhere quickly.
They did not hear the well-oiled hinges of the shutters covering a window above them, and by the time they heard the contrabasso thrrruuumm of the crossbow, its thick, stubby bolt had torn through the back and the front of a mail hauberk and the thickness of the body between them, then sped on to penetrate yet one more layer of mail and lodge finally in the hipbone of that man-at-arms.
And the brahbehrnuh whirled and almost ran from the place now resounding with the contrabasso booming of the giant's voice.
The slave dealer's voice was a contrabasso growl, albeit a merry-sounding and eminently friendly growl.
This was joined by a rolling murmur that intensified and revealed itself to be a sonorous contrabasso chant, sung by inhuman voices.