Definition of 'bas-relief'

Word Frequency

bas-relief

(bɑːrɪliːf , bæs-)

Word forms: plural bas-reliefs

1. uncountable noun

Bas-relief is a technique of sculpture in which shapes are carved so that they stand out from the background.

...a classic white bas-relief design.

2. countable noun

A bas-relief is a sculpture carved on a surface so that it stands out from the background.

...columns decorated with bas-reliefs.

Word Frequency

bas-relief in British

(ˌbɑːrɪˈliːf , ˌbæs-, ˈbɑːrɪˌliːf , ˈbæs-) or bass-relief (ˌbeɪsrɪˈliːf)

noun

sculpture in low relief, in which the forms project slightly from the background but no part is completely detached from it

. Also called (Italian): basso rilievo

Word origin of 'bas-relief'

C17: from French, from Italian basso rilievo low relief; see base2, relief

Word Frequency

bas-relief in American

(ˌbɑrɪˈlif ; bäˌrilēfˈ; ˌ bæsrɪˈlif ; basˌrilēfˈ)

noun

sculpture in which figures are carved in a flat surface so that they project only a little from the background

Word origin of 'bas-relief'

Fr < It basso-rilievo: see basso & relief

Example sentences containing 'bas-relief'

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A full-size, bas-relief locomotive, driven by skeletons, appearing to burst from a tunnel. Clive Barker THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)Round her neck hung a pendant of reddish gold, ornamented with roses in bas-relief. Kerr, Katharine A TIME OF WAR (2001)

She crouched opposite him, on the far side of the little lamp, under the bas-relief of Sobek and Isis. Silverberg, Robert THEBES OF THE HUNDRED GATES (2001)