Basil: meaning, definitions and examples

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basil

 

[ หˆbฤ-zษ™l ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

culinary herb

Basil is a culinary herb of the mint family, known for its aromatic leaves. It is commonly used in Italian cuisine and is a key ingredient in dishes such as pesto and caprese salad. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, with fresh leaves providing a more vibrant flavor. Basil is not only valued for its taste but also for its various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Synonyms

Ocimum basilicum, holy basil, sweet basil

Examples of usage

  • I added fresh basil to the pasta sauce.
  • The pesto recipe calls for a handful of basil leaves.
  • She garnished the dish with some chopped basil.

Translations

Translations of the word "basil" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น manjericรฃo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคคเฅเคฒเคธเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Basilikum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kemangi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฑะฐะทะธะปั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ bazylia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใ‚ธใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท basilic

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ albahaca

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท fesleฤŸen

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐ”์งˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑูŠุญุงู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bazalka

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ bazalka

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฝ—ๅ‹’

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ bazilika

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ basilรญka

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐะทะธะปะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒ–แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜แƒ™แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bรผzรผr

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ albahaca

Etymology

The word 'basil' comes from the Latin 'basilicum', which in turn derives from the Greek word 'basilikos', meaning 'royal' or 'kingly'. This etymology reflects the historical prestige of the plant, which has been cultivated for thousands of years. In ancient times, basil was considered sacred in some cultures, including Hinduism, where it symbolizes purity and is often associated with divine protection. Furthermore, it was believed to have medicinal properties and was used in various traditional practices. The plant gained popularity in Mediterranean regions, where it was used both for its culinary applications and its aromatic qualities. Over the centuries, the cultivation of basil spread to other parts of the world, and it has since become an essential herb in many cuisines, especially Italian and Southeast Asian.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,577, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.