basil

[ baz-uh l, bas-, bey-zuh l, -suh l ]
/ ˈbæz əl, ˈbæs-, ˈbeɪ zəl, -səl /

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 of basil

1400–50; late Middle English basile < Middle French < Late Latin basilicum < Greek basilikón, neuter of basilikós royal. See basilic

Words nearby basil

basifixed, basifugal, basify, basihyal, basihyoid, basil, basil i, basil thyme, basilan, basilar, basilar artery

Definition for basil (2 of 2)

Basil
[ baz-uh l, bas-, bey-zuh l, -suh l ]
/ ˈbæz əl, ˈbæs-, ˈbeɪ zəl, -səl /

noun

Saint.Also Basilius.the Great,a.d. 329?–379, bishop of Caesarea in Asia Minor (brother of Saint Gregory of Nyssa).
a male given name: from a Greek word meaning “royal.”

Example sentences from the Web for basil

British Dictionary definitions for basil (1 of 2)

basil
/ (ˈbæzəl) /

noun

Also called: sweet basil a Eurasian plant, Ocimum basilicum, having spikes of small white flowers and aromatic leaves used as herbs for seasoning: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
Also called: wild basil a European plant, Satureja vulgaris (or Clinopodium vulgare), with dense clusters of small pink or whitish flowers: family Lamiaceae
basil-thyme a European plant, Acinos arvensis, having clusters of small violet-and-white flowers: family Lamiaceae

Word Origin for basil

C15: from Old French basile, from Late Latin basilicum, from Greek basilikon, from basilikos royal, from basileus king

British Dictionary definitions for basil (2 of 2)

Basil
/ (ˈbæzəl) /

noun

Saint, called the Great, ?329–379 ad, Greek patriarch: an opponent of Arianism and one of the founders of monasticism. Feast day: Jan 2, June 14, or Jan 1