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Basal

/[ˈbeɪzəɫ]/ adj, noun

Definitions

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

    "This is the basal idea."

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

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

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

    "a basal diet"

  4. 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."

Adjective
  1. 1
    especially of leaves; located at the base of a plant or stem; especially arising directly from the root or rootstock or a root-like stem wordnet
  2. 2
    serving as or forming a base wordnet
  3. 3
    of or being the essential or basic part wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    base, bottom, minimum
  2. 2
    Any basal structure or part

Etymology

Etymology 1

From base + -al.

Etymology 2

From base + -al.

See also for "basal"

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