Bassett

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A breed of dog known for its long ears, short legs, and strong scenting ability
2. A hound breed distinguished by its droopy ears and low stature, often used for tracking scents
3. A short-legged dog breed famous for its elongated ears and excellent sense of smell

Etymology: The short-legged hound known as the basset takes its name from the French adjective "bas", meaning low, which gave rise to "bassette" as a diminutive. The French word was itself borrowed from Italian "bassetta", so the dog's name passed through two Romance languages before reaching English, and the spelling "bassett" is simply an alternative form of the same word. The Italian source relates to the word's musical and gaming sense, and the French usage reflects the dog's build: a hound bred to hunt close to the ground, with legs so short that it could follow scent without running ahead of its handler. The name describes the animal's most striking feature, its low-slung body, rather than any particular breeding origin.