Basil Definition

bāzəl, băzəl
noun
An aromatic annual herb (Ocimum basilicum) in the mint family, native to Asia and Africa and widely cultivated for its leaves.
American Heritage
Any of a genus (Ocimum) of fragrant plants of the mint family, esp. a white-flowered garden herb (O. basilicum) whose leaves are used for flavoring in cooking.
Webster's New World
The leaves of this plant used as a seasoning.
American Heritage
A masculine name.
Webster's New World
Any of various plants in the genus Ocimum, native to warm regions, having aromatic foliage and terminal clusters of small, usually white flowers.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
  • st. basil the great
  • Basil the Great
  • Basil of Caesarea
  • St. Basil
  • sweet-basil
pronoun
A male given name, in quiet but steady use in the UK.
Wiktionary
abbreviation

Biphasic acid scavenging utilising ionic liquids.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Basil

Noun

Singular:
basil
Plural:
basils

Origin of Basil

  • Middle English from Old French basile from Medieval Latin basilicum from Greek basilikon from neuter of basilikos royal basilica

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Name of several early saints, particularly in the Orthodox Church, from Latin Basilius, from Ancient Greek Βασίλειος (Basileios).

    From Wiktionary

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