Basque

[bask] /bæsk/
noun
1.
one of a people of unknown origin inhabiting the western Pyrenees regions in France and Spain.
2.
their language, not known to be related to any other language.
3.
(lowercase) a close-fitting bodice, sometimes having an extension that covers the hips.
4.
(lowercase) the extension of this bodice or of a doublet.
adjective
5.
of or pertaining to the Basques or their language.
Examples from the web for Basque
  • These Basque words are all derived from euskara, the Basque name for the Basque language.
  • There also exists a history of Basque culture in chino, california.
  • The Basque language is thought to be a genetic language isolate.
  • A Basque encyclopedia and other cultural and historical funds.
  • The first promotions were members of the Basque nationalist party.
British Dictionary definitions for Basque

basque

/bæsk; bɑːsk/
noun
1.
a short extension below the waist to the bodice of a woman's jacket, etc
2.
a tight-fitting bodice for women
Word Origin
C19: perhaps from Basque

Basque

/bæsk; bɑːsk/
noun
1.
a member of a people of unknown origin living around the W Pyrenees in France and Spain
2.
the language of this people, of no known relationship with any other language
adjective
3.
relating to, denoting, or characteristic of this people or their language
Word Origin
C19: from French, from Latin Vascō a Basque
Word Origin and History for Basque

1817 (adj.), 1835 (n.), from French, from Spanish vasco (adj.), from vascon (n.), from Latin Vascones (Vasconia was the Roman name for the up-country of the western Pyrenees), said by von Humboldt to originally mean "foresters" but more likely a Latinized version of the people's name for themselves, euskara or eskuara.

This contains a basic element -sk- which is believed to relate to maritime people or sailors, and which is also found in the name of the Etruscans .... [Room, "Placenames of the World," 2006]
Earlier in English was Basquish (1610s, noun and adjective); Baskles (plural noun, late 14c.); Baskon (mid-15c.).