Basil

Quick meaning: Basil is a noun meaning A plant (Ocimum basilicum).

Meaning

A plant (Ocimum basilicum).

More Meanings

1. The leaves of this plant used as a herb.
2. Any other species in the genus Ocimum.
3. The angle to which a joiner's tool is ground away.
4. (transitive) To grind the edge of a tool to an acute angle.
5. The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.
6. (now historical, archaic) A fetter fastened round the ankle of a prisoner.
7. (obsolete) A type of cannon.

Example Sentences

These usually large chisels may have the edge basiled on either the inside or the outside of the 90° angle of the blade.

When I once more feel that sharp smarting around the scabby sores that cluster like so many oysters on my ankles beneath my chained iron basils, I know that the tide has turned.

Each sleeper has for covering a large basil (dressed sheep-skin), such as cobblers use for aprons. As they lie in long rows, in the most profound repose, with these dark brown wrappers about them, they present the uniform look and arrangement of a long line of mummies.

[H]old the edge of your Iron upvvards in your left hand and your VVhet-ſtone in your right, and having firſt ſpit upon your Stone to vvet it, apply it to the Baſil of your Iron, in ſuch a Poſition that it may bear upon the vvhole bredth of the Baſil; and ſo vvorking the Stone over the Baſil, you vvill quickly vvear the courſer grating of the Grind ſtone off the edge on that ſide: […]

Word Forms

• basils
• basiling
• basilling
• basiled
• basilled

Synonyms for basil

Depending on context, synonyms include bevel, sharpen, basan, bazil.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include benny, tulsi, bazil, basan, basilweed.

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