See Also: contrabass(dictionary)
contrabass(dictionary)

contrabass (iou)



contrabass noun & adjective. E19.
[Italian contrabasso (now -bb-), French contrebasse, formed as CONTRA- + BASS noun2.]
Music.
A. noun.
(A part within) the octave below the normal (bass) range. E19.
A double-bass. L19.
b. attrib. or as adjective. Designating an instrument with range an octave lower than the usual type, as contrabass tuba. L19.
? Earlier Anglicized as COUNTERBASS.
contra'bassist noun a double-bass player L19.