Baste, v. t. [OE. basten, OF. bastir, F. b&?;tir, prob. fr. OHG. bestan to sew, MHG. besten to bind, fr. OHG. bast bast. See Bast.] To sew loosely, or with long stitches; -- usually, that the work may be held in position until sewed more firmly. Shak.
{ Bas*tile" Bas*tille" } (bs*tl" or bs"tl; 277), n. [F. bastille fortress, OF. bastir to build, F. bâtir.]
1. (Feud. Fort.) A tower or an elevated work, used for the defense, or in the siege, of a fortified place.
The high bastiles . . . which overtopped the walls.
Holland.
2. "The Bastille", formerly a castle or fortress in Paris, used as a prison, especially for political offenders; hence, a rhetorical name for a prison.
Bas`ti*nade" (&?;), n. See Bastinado, n.