Etymology of the English word basil
the English word
basilderived from the Old French word
basilederived from the Latin word
basilicum (basil; best throw in dice)
derived from the Greek word
basilikon, βασιλικόν
derived from the Greek word
basilikos, βασιλικός (regal (in relation); belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or preeminent)
derived from the Greek word
basileus, βασιλεύς (a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively))
Date
The earliest known usage of basil in English dates from the 15th century.
Derivations in English
basiled,
basilingUsage
Word found in Modern English
