basket

[bas-kit, bah-skit] /ˈbæs kɪt, ˈbɑ skɪt/

noun

a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together.

a container made of pieces of thin veneer, used for packing berries, vegetables, etc.

the amount contained in a basket; a basketful:

to pick a basket of apples.

anything like a basket in shape or use:

He never empties my wastepaper basket.

any group of things or different things grouped as a unit; a package; package deal:

You can't buy the single stock; you have to take the basket—all companies, stocks and bonds.

the car or gondola suspended beneath a balloon, as for carrying passengers or scientific instruments into the atmosphere.

Basketball.

an open net suspended from a metal rim attached to the backboard and through which the ball must pass in order for a player to score points.
a score, counting two for a field goal and one for a free throw.

Also called snow ring. Skiing. a ring strapped to the base of a ski pole to limit penetration of the pole in the snow.

Slang: Vulgar. the male genitals, especially when outlined by a tight-fitting garment.

Origin

1250-1300; Middle English basket(te) < early Romance *baskauta (> French dialect bâchot, bachou wooden or interwoven vessel, Old High German baskiza box) < Latin bascauda basin, perhaps < British Celtic

Related forms

basketlike, adjective

unbasketlike, adjective

Examples from the web for basket

Transport the caponata in a small, sealed container in a picnic basket.
They knew nothing of cultivation and nothing of any sort of basket work or woven cloth.
With characteristic thoroughness, he had procured a huge basket of fresh-cut roses from which to work.
His other hand rested on the handle of an enormous basket of apples that stood beside him.
Wire basket and mason jars become outdoor chandelier.
Add a touch of romance to your garden or patio with a wire basket, canning jars tea lights, and crystals.
Top off a hike or ride with a basket of gourmet goodies packed in style.
The beach cruiser bikes come fully loaded with helmet, basket, and total adorableness.
Then the maiden was obedient, and put on the paper frock, and went out with the basket.
He who is meant to be a basket carrier is born with the handle in his hand.

British Dictionary definitions for basket

basket

/ˈbɑːskɪt/

noun

a container made of interwoven strips of pliable materials, such as cane, straw, thin wood, or plastic, and often carried by means of a handle or handles

Also called basketful. the amount a basket will hold

something resembling such a container in appearance or function, such as the structure suspended from a balloon

(basketball)

an open horizontal metal hoop fixed to the backboard, through which a player must throw the ball to score points
a point or points scored in this way

a group or collection of similar of related things: a basket of currencies

(informal) a euphemism for (offensive) bastard (sense 1), bastard (sense 2)

the list of items an internet shopper chooses to buy at one time from a website: add these items to your basket

Word Origin

C13: probably from Old Northern French baskot (unattested), from Latin bascauda basketwork holder, of Celtic origin

Word Origin and History for basket

early 13c., from Anglo-French bascat, origin obscure despite much speculation. On one theory from Latin bascauda "kettle, table-vessel," said by the Roman poet Martial to be from Celtic British and perhaps cognate with Latin fascis "bundle, faggot," in which case it probably originally meant "wicker basket." But OED frowns on this, and there is no evidence of such a word in Celtic unless later words in Irish and Welsh, counted as borrowings from English, are original.

Slang definitions & phrases for basket

basket

noun

The pit of the stomach; breadbasket: a blow flush in the basket (late 1800s+)
The male genitals, esp when prominently displayed in tight pants: the yogis had baskets (1940s+ Homosexuals)

basket in the Bible

There are five different Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized Version: (1.) A basket (Heb. sal, a twig or osier) for holding bread (Gen. 40:16; Ex. 29:3, 23; Lev. 8:2, 26, 31; Num. 6:15, 17, 19). Sometimes baskets were made of twigs peeled; their manufacture was a recognized trade among the Hebrews. (2.) That used (Heb. salsilloth') in gathering grapes (Jer. 6:9). (3.) That in which the first fruits of the harvest were presented, Heb. tene, (Deut. 26:2, 4). It was also used for household purposes. In form it tapered downwards like that called _corbis_ by the Romans. (4.) A basket (Heb. kelub) having a lid, resembling a bird-cage. It was made of leaves or rushes. The name is also applied to fruit-baskets (Amos 8:1, 2). (5.) A basket (Heb. dud) for carrying figs (Jer. 24:2), also clay to the brick-yard (R.V., Ps. 81:6), and bulky articles (2 Kings 10:7). This word is also rendered in the Authorized Version "kettle" (1 Sam. 2:14), "caldron" (2 Chr. 35:13), "seething-pot" (Job 41:20). In the New Testament mention is made of the basket (Gr. kophinos, small "wicker-basket") for the "fragments" in the miracle recorded Mark 6:43, and in that recorded Matt. 15:37 (Gr. spuris, large "rope-basket"); also of the basket in which Paul escaped (Acts 9:25, Gr. spuris; 2 Cor. 11: 33, Gr. sargane, "basket of plaited cords").

Idioms and Phrases with basket

basket

In addition to the idiom beginning with basket also see: put all one's eggs in one basket