Basso \Bas"so\, n. [It., fr. LL. bassus. See Base, a.]

(Mus.)
   (a) The bass or lowest part; as, to sing basso.
   (b) One who sings the lowest part.
   (c) 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)