English Explanatory Dictionary

basil

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A plant (Ocimum basilicum).
  2. The leaves of this plant used as a herb.
  3. Any other species in the genus Ocimum.
noun
  1. The angle to which a joiner's tool is ground away.
verb
  1. To grind the edge of a tool to an acute angle.
noun
  1. The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.
noun
  1. A type of cannon.
  2. A fetter fastened round the ankle of a prisoner.
name
  1. A male given name from Ancient Greek, in quiet but steady use in the UK.
noun
  1. Acronym of biphasic acid scavenging utilising ionic liquids.

Pronunciation

/ˈbæz.əl/ en-uk-basil.ogg /ˈbeɪ.zəl/

Word forms

basil basils basiling basilling basiled basilled

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English basile, from Middle French basile, from Old French basile, from Medieval Latin basilicum, from Ancient Greek βασιλικόν (basilikón, “royal”), from βασιλεύς (basileús, “king”). Doublet of basilic, basilicon, and basilicum; further related to basileus, basilean, and basileiolatry.

Synonyms

sweet basil St. Joseph's wort common basil American dittany great basil bevel sharpen basan bazil

Related words

Baz Bazza

Derived words

Asian basil basil balm basiled basil thyme basilweed common basil field basil hoary basil holy basil Lao basil lemon basil purple basil sweet basil Thai basil wild basil
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