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bas–relief

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noun bas–re·lief \ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf, ˌbas-, ˌbās-; ˈbä-ri-ˌ, ˈbas-, ˈbās-\

Definition of bas–relief

art : sculptural relief (see ¹relief 6) in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut (see ¹undercut 2); also : sculpture executed in bas-relief a limestone bas–relief of a female figure

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Origin and Etymology of bas–relief

French, from bas low + relief raised work

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First Known Use: 1667

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Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

BAS–RELIEF Defined for English Language Learners

bas-relief

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noun

Definition of bas–relief for English Language Learners

: a kind of sculpture in which shapes are carved so that they are only slightly higher than the flat background

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See words that rhyme with bas–relief Spanish Central: Translation of bas–relief

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