bas-relief

[bah-ri-leef, bas-; bah-ri-leef, bas-] /ˌbɑ rɪˈlif, ˌbæs-; ˈbɑ rɪˌlif, ˈbæs-/
noun
1.
relief sculpture in which the figures project slightly from the background.
Also called low relief.
Origin
1660-70; < French, on the model of Italian bassorilievo. Cf. basso-relievo, base2, relief
Examples from the web for bas-relief
  • The team name is in bas-relief and is back-lit in neon tubing.
  • Many of the eighteenth century tombstones are marked with bas-relief carvings illustrating the lives of the deceased.
  • The memorials occupy niches on each side of the lobby and combine a bronze bas-relief portrait with a quotation.
  • Embedded in the wall inside the old building is a peculiar bas-relief, a little sculpture more than a foot square.
  • The interior arch of the main doorway has a bas-relief carving of eagles.
  • These are envisioned as stone bas-relief, viewing portals other multimedia methods, which are to be determined and presented.
  • It is composed of different cast metal bas-relief motifs depicting various aspects of transportation.
  • The exterior is decorated with a large bas-relief depicting vintage automobiles.
British Dictionary definitions for bas-relief

bas-relief

/ˌbɑːrɪˈliːf; ˌbæs-; ˈbɑːrɪˌliːf; ˈbæs-/
noun
1.
sculpture in low relief, in which the forms project slightly from the background but no part is completely detached from it Also called (Italian) basso rilievo
Word Origin
C17: from French, from Italian basso rilievo low relief; see base², relief
Word Origin and History for bas-relief
n.

1660s, from French bas-relief, a loan-translation of Italian basso-rilievo "low relief, raised work."

bas-relief in Culture
bas-relief [(bah ruh-leef)]

A kind of carving or sculpture in which the figures are raised a few inches from a flat background to give a three-dimensional effect. The term is French for “low relief.”