Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

basilect

 - 2 dictionary results

ba⋅si⋅lect

  [bey-zuh-lekt, baz-uh-]
Use basilect in a Sentence
–noun Linguistics.
the variety of language in a creole continuum that is most distinct from the acrolect.
Compare acrolect, mesolect.

Origin:
1960–65; basi- (as comb. form of base 1 or basis ) + (dia)lect

Related forms:
ba⋅si⋅lec⋅tal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To basilect
bas·i·lect   (bās'ə-lěkt')   
n.  The variety of speech that is most remote from the prestige variety, especially in an area where a creole is spoken. For example, in Jamaica, Jamaican Creole is the basilect whereas Standard Jamaican English is the acrolect or prestige language.

[basi- + (dia)lect.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see basilect on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way