a member of a people of unknown origin living in the western Pyrenees in France and Spain
"During our trip through the western Pyrenees, we met several Basque travelers who spoke their unique language."
the language of the Basque people; of no known relation to any other language
"Despite its unique origins, the Basque language remains spoken by communities in Spain and France today without being related to Indo-European tongues."
The language of the Basque people.
"He struggled to button his old waistcoat because the basque was too tight across his lower back."
The part of a waistcoat etc. extending below the waist.
Relative to the Basque people or their language.
"The museum features a gallery dedicated entirely to Basque art and history."
The word comes from French basque, which traces back to Latin Vascō referring to a pre-Roman tribe. This ancient group lived in the Atlantic and Pyrenean regions of southwestern Europe and are the ancestors of today's Basque people.