basil
basil (bā′zəl, baz′əl)
noun
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
Etymology: ME & OFr basile < ML basilicum < Gr basilikon (phyton), basil, lit., royal (plant) < basileus, king
Basil (bā′zəl, baz′əl)
noun
a masculine name
Etymology: L Basilius < Gr Basileios, lit., kingly < basileus, king
Basil (bā′zəl, baz′əl)
Basil, Saint ( 330?-379); Gr. prelate, born in Cappadocia: bishop of Caesarea: his day is Jan. 2: called the Great
Converse of object
- chop: Then chop the basil leaves into half or quarters, depending on their size.
- dry: Dried basil can just be tossed in with a suitable Latin flourish.
- add: Or add some fresh torn basil leaves for some extra flavor.
- grow: We've grown basil from seed and its strident taste goes well with a tomato salad.
- use: If using fresh basil, wash and roughly chop it then add it to the soup, saving a few leaves for garnish.
- have: After lunch she wanted to use the egg shells to grow cress in - no cress, so they now have basil.
Adjective modifier
- shredded: Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and a few shredded fresh basil leaves and you have something which tastes heavenly!
- fresh: Top with a little fresh basil to bring out the taste of the tomatoes.
- holy: Holy basil is worshiped by all Hindu married women for a husband's long life and good health.
- sweet: The third act will come when the masses come out to shower American and English soldiers with roses and sweet basil.
- purple: For a vegetarian option, serve your favorite pasta with a tomato and garlic sauce and garnish with purple basil leaves.
- wild: Summer arrives and the smell of fresh herbs pervades the chalk grassland as you walk through wild thyme, marjoram and wild basil.
Modifies a noun
- mash: Spoon the mustard and basil mash into a warmed ovenproof serving dish.
- sauce: For dinner, make spaghetti with tomato and fresh basil sauce instead of a meat sauce.
- leaf: Add the cream and basil leaf then season with a little more salt to your taste.
- salad: Let it rest for ten minutes before serving with a tomato and basil salad.
- soup: I had fresh tomato and basil soup ( best I'd ever had!
- leave: Continue adding layers of fruit, jelly and basil leaves in the same way.
Noun used with modifier
'To steal my Basil-pot away from me.'
And she forgot the stars, the moon, and sun, And she forgot the blue above the trees, And she forgot the dells where waters run, And she forgot the chillyautumn breeze; She had no knowledge when the day was done, And the new morn she saw not: but in peace Hung over her sweet Basil evermore, And moistened it with tears unto the core.
Browse dictionary entries near basil
- basify
- basifixed
- Basie
- basidium
- basidiospore
- basidiomycete
- basics
- basicity
- basically
- basic slag
