basal

About 8.29 uses per million words.

Meaning

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

   This is the basal idea.

2. adjective Associated with the base of an organism or structure.

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

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

   a basal diet

4. adjective 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.

5. noun base, bottom, minimum
6. noun Any basal structure or part

Similar words

elementary primary base basic essential beginning radical abecedarian fundamental based

Often followed by

ganglia cell metabolic metabolism lamina area and part cells layer

Word family

basally