Answer:
The Italian term "basso continuo" refers to a type of musical accompaniment that was commonly used during the Baroque period of Western classical music (approximately 1600-1750).
"Basso continuo" literally means "continuous bass" in Italian, and it refers to a musical texture in which a bass line (usually played on a cello, bassoon, or similar instrument) is accompanied by a keyboard instrument (such as a harpsichord or organ). The keyboard instrument plays harmonies, chords, and other figurations that support and enrich the bass line, creating a rich, full sound that supports the melody and other instruments in the ensemble.
Basso continuo was an important feature of Baroque music, and it was used in a wide range of musical genres, from operas and cantatas to chamber music and solo instrumental works. The practice of basso continuo declined in the Classical period (approximately 1750-1820), as composers began to use more complex and varied textures in their music.