bassinet
English
Alternative forms
Etymology 1
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.
Pronunciation
Noun
bassinet (plural bassinets)
- A newborn baby's bed, traditionally woven with reeds or straw; a (wicker) cradle.
- 2020, Avni Doshi, Burnt Sugar, Hamish Hamilton, page 198:
- The next day, the baby sleeps in a bassinet near my bed.
Translations
type of newborn baby's bed
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See also
Etymology 2
Noun
bassinet (plural bassinets)
- Alternative form of bascinet.
- 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 11:
- 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.
- 1891, Arthur Conan Doyle, The White Company, chapter 16:
- 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.
Anagrams
French
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ba.si.nɛ/
Audio: (file)
Noun
bassinet m (plural bassinets)
- diminutive of bassin
Derived terms
Further reading
- “bassinet”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.