Basket \Bas"ket\, n. [Of unknown origin. The modern Celtic words
seem to be from the English.]
1. A vessel made of osiers or other twigs, cane, rushes,
splints, or other flexible material, interwoven. ``Rude
baskets . . . woven of the flexile willow.'' --Dyer.
2. The contents of a basket; as much as a basket contains;
as, a basket of peaches.
3. (Arch.) The bell or vase of the Corinthian capital.
[Improperly so used.]
--Gwilt.
4. The two back seats facing one another on the outside of a
stagecoach. [Eng.]
--Goldsmith.
Basket fish (Zo["o]l.), an ophiuran of the genus
Astrophyton, having the arms much branched. See
Astrophyton.
Basket hilt, a hilt with a covering wrought like basketwork
to protect the hand. --Hudibras. Hence,
Baskethilted, a.
Basket work, work consisting of plaited osiers or twigs.
Basket worm (Zo["o]l.), a lepidopterous insect of the genus
Thyridopteryx and allied genera, esp. T.
ephemer[ae]formis. The larva makes and carries about a
bag or basket-like case of silk and twigs, which it
afterwards hangs up to shelter the pupa and wingless adult
females.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|