English · Word Candidate

basil

/ˈbæz.əl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: basils · basiling · basilling · basiled

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A plant (Ocimum basilicum).

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The leaves of this plant used as a herb.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The angle to which a joiner's tool is ground away.

Noun

Examples

[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 vvi

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To grind the edge of a tool to an acute angle.

Verb

Examples

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

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “basil” mean?

A plant (Ocimum basilicum).

Is “basil” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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