basil
pronunciation
How to pronounce basil in British English:
UK [ˈbæzl]
How to pronounce basil in American English:
US [ˈbeɪzl]
-
- Noun:
- any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
- leaves or the common basil; used fresh or dried
Word Origin
- basil (n.)
- aromatic shrubby plant, early 15c., from Old French basile (15c., Modern French basilic), from Medieval Latin basilicum, from Greek basilikon (phyton) "royal (plant)," from basileus "king" (see Basil). So called, probably, because it was believed to have been used in making royal perfumes. In Latin, confused with basiliscus (see basilisk) because it was supposed to be an antidote to the basilisk's venom.
- Basil
- masc. proper name, from Latin Basilius, from Greek Basileios "kingly, royal," from basileus "king," which is of unknown origin, possibly from a language of Asia Minor (compare Lydian battos "king").
Example
- 1. Where can I find fresh basil ?
- 2. Only his termagant wife and her friends call him " basil " .
- 3. He put basil in the ratatouille ?
- 4. Basil : well I sure hope she gets through it pretty soon .
- 5. Moscow postcards typically feature the colourful striped domes of st. basil 's cathedral and the neighboring red square .