figured bass

2 definitions found

figured bass - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Figured \Fig"ured\, a.
     1. Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as, figured
        muslin.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Not literal; figurative. [Obs.] --Locke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mus.)
        (a) Free and florid; as, a figured descant. See
            Figurate, 3.
        (b) Indicated or noted by figures.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     Figured bass. See Continued bass, under Continued.
        [1913 Webster]

figured bass - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  figured bass
      n 1: a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers
           to indicate the chords to be played [syn: figured bass,
           basso continuo, continuo, thorough bass]