bassinet
/ˌbæsɪˈnɛt/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.27 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
1
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A newborn baby's bed, traditionally woven with reeds or straw; a (wicker) cradle.
noun
Alternative form of bascinet.
Example Sentences
- "The next day, the baby sleeps in a bassinet near my bed."
- "Bassinets were worn in the reigns of Edward II. and III. and Richard II. by most of the English Infantry, as may be repeatedly seen in the Rolls of Parliament, and other public records."
- "Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet."
Etymology
From French bassinet (“small basin”), equivalent to basin + -et. Ernest Klein, however, suggests derivation from French bercelonnette (“cradle”), with influence from bassin(et), to account for the English sense's semantic specialization.
Origin
- Source language: French
Word Breakdown
- Root: bassinet
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌbæsɪˈnɛt/
- British English: /ˌbæsɪˈnɛt/