basal

English

Etymology

From base + -al.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): [ˈbeɪsəɫ]
  • (US, also) IPA(key): [ˈbeɪzəɫ]
  • Rhymes: -eɪsəl, -eɪzəl

Adjective

basal (comparative more basal, superlative most basal)

  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.
    A basal reader is a kind of book that is used to teach reading.
  2. (anatomy) Associated with the base of an organism or structure.
    In the spring, basal leaves emerge from a stout taproot.
  3. (medicine) Of a minimal level that is necessary for maintaining the health or life of an organism.
    a basal diet
  4. (chiefly systematics) 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.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

basal (plural basals)

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

Anagrams


French

Adjective

basal (feminine singular basale, masculine plural basaux, feminine plural basales)

  1. basal

German

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Adjective

basal (comparative basaler, superlative am basalsten)

  1. basal

Declension


Spanish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /baˈsal/

Adjective

basal (plural basales)

  1. basal

Further reading

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