Basil

Definitions

1. The angle to which a joiner's tool is ground away.
2. The skin of a sheep tanned with bark.
3. A type of cannon.
   obsolete
4. Acronym of biphasic acid scavenging utilising ionic liquids.
   abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, uncountable
5. A male given name from Ancient Greek, in quiet but steady use in the UK.
6. A plant (Ocimum basilicum).
   uncountable, usually
7. A fetter fastened round the ankle of a prisoner.
   archaic, historical
8. The leaves of this plant used as a herb.
   uncountable, usually
9. Any other species in the genus Ocimum.
   uncountable, usually

Equivalents

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 vvill quickly vvear the courſer grating of the Grind⟳ ſtone off the edge on that ſide: […]”

“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.”

“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.”

“"Nonsense. I'm sure he can't have⟳ grey hair with such a pretty name⟳ as that. Basil Brooke, Basil Brooke," and May chanted the name⟳ over and over in her girlish, musical voice. "It sounds like⟳ all sorts of pleasant pictures. - -”

CEFR level