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basilect

American  
[bey-zuh-lekt, baz-uh-] / ˈbeɪ zəˌlɛkt, ˈbæz ə- /

noun

Linguistics.

  1. the variety of language in a creole continuum that is most distinct from the acrolect.

Other Word Forms

  • basilectal adjective

Etymology

Origin of basilect

1960–65; basi- (as combining form of base 1 or basis ) + (dia)lect

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.