Basil \Bas"il\, n. [F. basilic, fr. L. basilicus royal, Gr.
basiliko`s fr. basiley`s king.] (Bot.)
The name given to several aromatic herbs of the Mint family,
but chiefly to the common or sweet basil ({Ocymum
basilicum}), and the bush basil, or lesser basil ({Ocymum
minimum}), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name
is also given to several kinds of mountain mint
({Pycnanthemum}).
[1913 Webster]
{Basil thyme}, a name given to the fragrant herbs {Calamintha
Acinos} and {Calamintha Nepeta}.
{Wild basil}, a plant ({Calamintha clinopodium}) of the Mint
family.
[1913 Webster]