figured bass

[ beys ]
/ beɪs /

noun Music.

a bass part in which the notes have numbers under them indicating the chords to be played.

Origin of figured bass

First recorded in 1795–1805

British Dictionary definitions for figured bass

figured bass
/ (beɪs) /

noun

a shorthand method of indicating a thorough-bass part in which each bass note is accompanied by figures indicating the intervals to be played in the chord above it in the realization