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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ba·sal

Audio Help [bey-suh

l, -zuh

l] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	of, at, or forming the base.

2.	forming a basis; fundamental; basic.

Physiology.

a.	indicating a standard low level of activity of an organism, as during total rest.

b.	of an amount required to maintain this level.

4.	Medicine/Medical. serving to induce a preliminary or light anesthesia prior to total anesthetization.

[Origin: 1820–30; base¹ + -al¹

]

—Related forms

ba·sal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
basal

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

bas·al Audio Help (bā'səl, -zəl) Pronunciation Key
adj.

1. Of, relating to, located at, or forming a base.
2. Botany Located at or near the base of a plant stem, or at the base of any other plant part: basal placentation.
Of primary importance; basic.

bas'al·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
basal

"relating to a base," 1828 (see base).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

basal
adjective
1.	especially of leaves; located at the base of a plant or stem; especially arising directly from the root or rootstock or a root-like stem; "basal placentation"; "radical leaves" [syn: radical] [ant: cauline]
2.	serving as or forming a base; "the painter applied a base coat followed by two finishing coats"
3.	of primary importance