Basil

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbæz.əl/

Definitions

1. An aromatic herb with green leaves commonly used in cooking, especially in Mediterranean cuisine, or the name of several early Christian saints known for their spiritual significance
2. A flavorful herb characterized by its vibrant green leaves, often utilized in culinary applications, or a term referring to notable figures in Christianity celebrated for their religious contributions
3. This herb, recognized for its distinctive aroma and culinary uses, can also denote revered saints within the Christian tradition who are associated with various virtues

Etymology: The herb's name is a fossil of a Greek phrase. Its Greek source, "basilikón," meant "royal," an adjective built from "basileús," "king." Medieval Latin turned that adjective into "basilicum," a noun for the plant, and the form passed through Old French "basile" into Middle English. The plant was apparently named for its regal status, though the exact reason for the association is not recorded. The word is a doublet of "basilic" and "basilicon," which entered English through the same Greek adjective by different routes. Its relatives include "basileus," the Greek word for king, and "basileiolatry," a term for worship of kings, which shows how deeply the root "king" runs through this family.