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basal

adjective

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L20343 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: [ˈbeɪsəɫ] / [ˈbeɪzəɫ]

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree English base Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English basal From base + -al.

  1. Basic, elementary; relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin.

    This is the basal idea.

    The organism needs more energy on basal maintenance.

  2. Associated with the base of an organism or structure.

    In the spring, basal leaves emerge from a stout taproot.

  3. Of a minimal level that is necessary for maintaining the health or life of an organism.

    a basal diet

  4. In a phylogenetic tree, being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier. The earliest clade to branch in a larger clade.

    Hittite is a basal Indo-European language.

    A magnolia is a basal angiosperm.

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English base Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English basal From base + -al.

  1. base, bottom, minimum
  2. Any basal structure or part