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basil
11 dictionary results for: basil
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
bas·il       [baz-uhl, bas-, bey-zuhl, -suhl] Pronunciation Key
–noun
any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Ocimum, of the mint family, as O. basilicum (sweet basil), having purplish-green ovate leaves used in cooking.

[Origin: 1400–50; late ME basile < MF < LL basilicum < Gk basilikón, neut. of basilikós royal. See basilic]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
Bas·il       [baz-uhl, bas-, bey-zuhl, -suhl] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.Saint. Also, Basilius. (“the Great”), a.d. 329?–379, bishop of Caesarea in Asia Minor (brother of Saint Gregory of Nyssa).
2.a male given name: from a Greek word meaning “royal.”
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
bas·il       (bāz'əl, bā'zəl)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. An Old World aromatic annual herb (Ocimum basilicum) in the mint family, cultivated for its leaves. Also called sweet basil.
    2. The leaves of this plant used as a seasoning.
  1. Any of various plants in the genus Ocimum, native to warm regions, having aromatic foliage and terminal clusters of small, usually white flowers.


[Middle English, from Old French basile, from Medieval Latin basilicum, from Greek basilikon, from neuter of basilikos, royal; see basilica.]

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Bas·il       (bāz'əl, bās'-, bā'zəl, -səl)  Pronunciation Key 
Greek Christian leader who was bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia after A.D. 370 and a vigorous opponent of Arianism.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
basil 
"aromatic shrubby plant," c.1420, from O.Fr. basile, from M.L. basilicum, from Gk. basilikon (phyton) "royal (plant)," from basileus "king," of unknown origin, possibly from a language of Asia Minor (cf. Lydian battos "king"). So called, probably, because it was believed to have been used in making royal perfumes. In L., confused with basiliscus (see basilisk) because it was supposed to be an antidote to the basilisk's venom.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Basil 
masc. proper name, from Gk. Basileios "kingly, royal," from basileus "king."

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
basil

noun
1. any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum 
2. (Roman Catholic Church) the bishop of Caesarea who defended the Roman Catholic Church against the heresies of the 4th century; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-379) 
3. leaves of the common basil; used fresh or dried 

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Basil

Bas"il\, n. [Cf. F. basile and E. Bezel.] The slope or angle to which the cutting edge of a tool, as a plane, is ground. --Grier.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Basil

Bas"il\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Basiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Basiling.] To grind or form the edge of to an angle. --Moxon.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Basil

Bas"il\, n. [F. basilic, fr. L. badilicus royal, Gr. ?, fr. ? king.] (Bot.) The name given to several aromatic herbs of the Mint family, but chiefly to the common or sweet basil (Ocymum basilicum), and the bush basil, or lesser basil (O. minimum), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name is also given to several kinds of mountain mint (Pycnanthemum).

Basil thyme, a name given to the fragrant herbs Calamintha Acinos and C. Nepeta.

Wild basil, a plant (Calamintha clinopodium) of the Mint family.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Basil

Bas"il\, n. [Corrupt. from E. basan, F. basane, LL. basanium, bazana, fr. Ar. bith[=a]na, prop., lining.] The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.

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