A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Base, Bace, n. Also: bas, bais(e, bease, beace, bes. [ME. bace (15th c.), base, subst. use of the adj.]
1. The lowest tones of a voice or instrument. Also fig.c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 19.
The silly lame wes all to small To sic ane tribbill to hald ane bace 1540 Lynd. Sat. 316 (B).
I am content to beir ane bes [Ch. bais] c1550 Rolland C. Venus iv. 678.
Swyith pak (quod scho) or ȝour bak beir a bace, Out of this hall 1581 Sat. P. xliv. 151.
Leyn, the fals preist, vil sing base to Blakha 1584 in Calderwood IV. 43.
To hold in a baise of plaine song unto his discant
2. A base dance. (See Base a. 2.)15.. Clar. iv. 1380.
They sufferit utheris to go into the beace Whill thay reposit beine Ib. v. 1899.
Thir two ȝoung Queinis, Led with two Kingis dansit thair ane bease
