Thor·ough bass Mus. The representation of chords by figures placed under the base; figured bass; basso continuo; -- sometimes used as synonymous with harmony.

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 Bass n.
 1. A bass, or deep, sound or tone.
 2. Mus. (a) The lowest part in a musical composition. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, bass. [Written also base.]
 Thorough bass. See Thorough bass.


 thorough bass
      n : a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers
          to indicate the chords to be played [syn: figured bass,
           basso continuo, continuo]