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me 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 (O. minimum), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name is also given to several kinds of mountain mint (Pycnanthemum). Basil thyme, a name given to the fragran…

Lower; inferior; applied to impulses or springs of action. [R.] "Basilar instincts." H. W. Beecher.

Basilica.

Royal; kingly; also, basilican.

h building of the earlier centuries of Christianity, the plan of which was taken from the basilica of the Romans. The name is still applied to some churches by way of honorary distinction.

Of, relating to, or resembling, a basilica; basilical. There can be no doubt that the first churches in Constantinople were in the basilican form. Milman.

The basilisk. [Obs.] Chaucer

An ointment composed of wax, pitch, resin, and olive oil, lard, or other fatty substance.

at its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See Cockatrice. Make me not sighted like the basilisk. Shak.

The act of looking; vision; gaze; glance. [R.] "The basilisk killeth by aspect." Bacon. His aspect was bent on the ground. Sir W. Scott.

court with a porch or gallery around three or more sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica or other church. The name was extended in the Middle Ages to the open churchyard or cemetery.

Same as Basil, a sheepskin.

(Calamintha) of the Mint family, esp. the C. Nepela and C. Acinos, which are called also basil thyme.

A monk of the Greek Church; a cenobite, anchoret, or recluse of the rule of St. Basil, especially, one on or near Mt. Athos.

any of those dresses, or popular captations, which some men use in their speeches. Eikon Basilike.

A fabulous serpent whose breath and look were said to be fatal. See Basilisk. That bare vowel, I, shall poison more Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice. Shak.

A fabulous serpent whose breath and look were said to be fatal. See Basilisk.

to the mind or heart; as, the contagion of enthusiasm. "The contagion of example." Eikon Basilike. When lust . . . Lets in defilement to the inward parts, The soul grows clotted by contagion. Milton.

ing in estimation; degradation; abasement. The world's opinion or diminution of me. Eikon Basilike. Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked In military honor next. Philips.

figuratively. Wash me with that precious effusion, and I shall be whiter than sow. Eikon Basilike. The light effusions of a heedless boy. Byron.