Bas·il n. The slope or angle to which the cutting edge of a tool, as a plane, is ground.
Bas·il, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Basiled (░); p. pr. & vb. n. Basiling.] To grind or form the edge of to an angle.
Bas·il, n. Bot. 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).
Basil thyme, a name given to the fragrant herbs Calamintha Acinos and Calamintha Nepeta.
Wild basil, a plant (Calamintha clinopodium) of the Mint family.
Bas·il n. The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.
◄ ►
basil
n 1: any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or
perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
2: (Roman Catholic Church) the bishop of Caesarea who defended
the Church against the heresies of the 4th century; a
saint and Doctor of the Church (329-379) [syn: St. Basil,
Basil of Caesarea, Basil the Great, St. Basil the
Great]
3: leaves or the common basil; used fresh or dried [syn: sweet
basil]