Definition of "basal" in English

adjective

1. Basic, elementary; relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin.

   • This is the basal idea.
   • The organism needs more energy on basal maintenance.
   • A basal reader is a kind of book that is used to teach reading.

2. (anatomy) Associated with the base of an organism or structure.

   • In the spring, basal leaves emerge from a stout taproot.

3. (medicine) Of a minimal level that is necessary for maintaining the health or life of an organism.

   • a basal diet

4. (chiefly systematics) In a phylogenetic tree, being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier. The earliest clade to branch in a larger clade.

   • Hittite is a basal Indo-European language.
   • A magnolia is a basal angiosperm.

noun

1. base, bottom, minimum

2. (anatomy) Any basal structure or part