(c. 330-379) Cappadocian monk, known as “the Great”, founder of the Basilian monks. Elected bishop of Caesarea 370, Basil opposed the heresy of Arianism. He wrote many theological works and composed the Liturgy of St Basil, in use in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Feast day 2 Jan.

(Homonym: basal).
1. Any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum.
2. Leaves or the common basil; used fresh or dried; SYN. sweet basil.
Or sweet basil; Plant Ocimum basilicum of the mint family Labiatae. A native of the tropics, it is cultivated in Europe as a culinary herb.