basil
noun
ˈbā- -səl 
Example Sentences
Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Add basil and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 3 Sep. 2022 These bite-size poppers are made with pizza crust, cheese, and a topping of cherry tomatoes and basil. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2022 Add fresh basil, butter, and black pepper, to taste. Daniel Ford, The New Yorker, 11 July 2022 If making up to four hours ahead, don’t add basil; cover and chill. Sunset Magazine, 1 July 2022 Add the basil and, with the motor running, add the oil in a slow and steady stream until pesto is mostly smooth, with just a few flecks of green, about 1 minute. Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, 25 Jan. 2021 Mozzarella tends to slowly flow over the edges, pulling pepperoni cups or snipped basil and Calabrian chiles along with it. Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 Growing your own basil, parsley, or mint is also cheaper than purchasing herbs from the grocery store. Erica Sweeney, Good Housekeeping, 29 July 2022 See More Word History
Middle English basyl, basyle, shortening (perhaps by confusion with Middle French basile "basilisk") of Middle French basilic or its source, Medieval Latin basilicon, borrowed from Greek basilikón (for presumed basilikòn phytón "royal plant"), noun derivative from neuter of basilikós "royal" — more at basilica
Note: The word basilikón as a name for a plant or herb is marginally attested in ancient and early post-classical Greek, the usual word for what is presumed to be Ocimum basilicum in Greek being ṓkimon. The identity of a lákhanon basilikón ("royal herb") in the pseudo-Aristotelian De plantis (2nd century b.c.) is uncertain. The lexicon of Hesychius (5th-6th centuries a.d., incorporating much ancient material) glosses ṓkimon as "fragrant herb, called basilikón" ("botánē euṓdēs, tò legómenon basilikón").
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing basil
Kids Definition
basil
noun
Biographical Definition
Basil
biographical name