sweet basil
noun
See under basil.
Origin of sweet basil
First recorded in 1640–50
Words nearby sweet basil
sweer,
sweet,
sweet almond,
sweet almond oil,
sweet alyssum,
sweet basil,
sweet bay,
sweet birch,
sweet cassava,
sweet cherry,
sweet chestnut
Definition for sweet basil (2 of 2)
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
Example sentences from the Web for sweet basil
Take two large bunches of sweet-marjoram; the same of sweet-basil; and one bunch of parsley.
Miss Leslie's Lady's New Receipt-Book |Eliza LeslieYou might as well give your father a pot of sweet-basil such as the cobblers have in their stalls.
The Flower Girl of The Chteau d'Eau, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XV) |Charles Paul de Kock
British Dictionary definitions for sweet basil (1 of 3)
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
British Dictionary definitions for sweet basil (2 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for sweet basil (3 of 3)
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