basil

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: Bas=il

CIDE DICTIONARY

basil, 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.  [1913 Webster]

basil, v. t. 

 To grind or form the edge of to an angle.  Moxon.  [1913 Webster]

basil, n. [F. basilic, fr. L. basilicus royal, Gr. basiliko`s fr. basiley`s king.].

 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 (Ocymum minimum), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name is also given to several kinds of mountain mint (Pycnanthemum).  [1913 Webster]

Basil thyme, a name given to the fragrant herbs Calamintha Acinos and Calamintha Nepeta. -- Wild basil, a plant (Calamintha clinopodium) of the Mint family.

basil, n. [Corrupt. from E. basan, F. basane, LL. basanium, bazana, fr. Ar. bithāna, prop., lining.].

 The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

basil, n. an aromatic herb of the genus Ocimum, esp. O. basilicum (in full sweet basil), whose leaves are used as a flavouring in savoury dishes.

Etymology

ME f. OF basile f. med.L basilicus f. Gk basilikos royal