basil

Meaning

Noun

1. A plant (Ocimum basilicum).
2. The leaves of this plant used as a herb.
3. Any other species in the genus Ocimum.

Verb

To grind the edge of a tool to an acute angle.

Synonyms

sweet basil

cut

facet

basilica

Ocimum sanctum

common basil

ocimum

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbæz.əl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English basile, from Middle French basile, from Old French basile, from Medieval Latin basilicum, from Ancient Greek βασιλικόν (basilikón, “royal”), from βασιλεύς (basileús, “king”). Doublet of basilic, basilicon, and basilicum; further related to basileus, basilean, and basileiolatry.