Vāse, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. vase, O. Fr. & Pr. vas, Sp., Pg., & It. vaso, Lat. vas, vasum.]

1Sense 1. A vessel, of various forms and materials, for domestic purposes, and anciently for sacrificial uses; especially, a vessel of antique or elegant pattern used for ornamental purposes; as, an alabaster vase. [See Illust. under Portland Vase.]

No chargers then were wrought in burnished gold, Nor silver vases took the forming mold. Pope.

2Sense 2. A solid piece of ornamental marble representing in form an ancient vase.

3Sense 3. (Arch.) (a.) An ornament of sculpture, placed on a pedestal, representing one of the vessels of the ancients, as incense-pots, flower-pots, &c. They usually crown or finish façades or frontispieces. (b.) The body or naked ground of the Corinthian and Composite capital;—called also the tambour or drum.

☞ Down to the time of Walker, this word was made to rhyme with base, case, &c., and is still so pronounced, to a great extent, in the United States. In England, it is more commonly pronounced, as Walker gives it, vaze, though by some vāz, and by a few vauz.

4Sense 4. (Bot.) The calyx of a plant.