'Ocymum basilicum' definitions:

Definition of 'Ocymum basilicum'

From: GCIDE
  • Basil \Bas"il\, n. [F. basilic, fr. L. basilicus royal, Gr. basiliko`s fr. basiley`s king.] (Bot.) The name 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 ({Ocymum minimum}), the leaves of which are used in cookery. The name is also given to several kinds of mountain mint (Pycnanthemum). [1913 Webster]
  • Basil thyme, a name given to the fragrant herbs {Calamintha Acinos} and Calamintha Nepeta.
  • Wild basil, a plant (Calamintha clinopodium) of the Mint family. [1913 Webster]