basal

[bey-suh l, -zuh l]

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adjective

of, at, or forming the base.

forming a basis; fundamental; basic.

Physiology.

indicating a standard low level of activity of an organism, as during total rest.
of an amount required to maintain this level.

Medicine/Medical. serving to induce a preliminary or light anesthesia prior to total anesthetization.

Origin of basal

First recorded in 1820–30; base¹ + -al¹

Related formsba·sal·ly, adverbpre·ba·sal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for basal

beginning, easy, elementary, fundamental, initial, lowest, necessary

Examples from the Web for basal

Historical Examples of basal

Furthermore, morphology is in reality a basal consideration.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
Synthlipsis: the basal constriction of the notocephalon in Notonectids.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
John. B. Smith
Terminal: situated at the tip or extremity; opposed to basal.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
John. B. Smith
This letter stated with full sincerity Lincoln's basal principle.
The Negro and the Nation
George S. Merriam
The basal for the rate of interest is the benefit or the advantage of the loan to the borrower.
Usury
Calvin Elliott

British Dictionary definitions for basal

basal

adjective

at, of, or constituting a base

of or constituting a foundation or basis; fundamental; essential

Derived Formsbasally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for basal

adj.

"relating to a base," 1828, from base (n.) + -al (1).

basal in Medicine

basal

[bā′səl, -zəl]

adj.

Of, relating to, located at, or forming a base, usually of an organ or a tooth.

Of, relating to, of situated at the lowest level, as of an organ.