basal

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈbeɪsəl/ UK /ˈbeɪsəl/ See IPA manual

adj

Meanings

1

adj
forming or belonging to a base; fundamental

The drug slows the body's basal metabolic rate.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · forming or belonging to a... basic fundamental underlying primary elementaryfoundational

Opposites

apical superficial secondary

Word family

Derived forms basally

Related forms base basis basic

Etymology

From base plus the suffix -al; base is from Latin basis, from Ancient Greek basis ('a step, foundation').

basis Latin bainein Ancient Greek

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# basal

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** ˈbeɪsəl
**IPA (UK):** ˈbeɪsəl

## Meanings
1. forming or belonging to a base; fundamental

## Examples
- The drug slows the body's basal metabolic rate.

## Synonyms
- basic
- fundamental
- underlying
- primary
- elementary
- foundational

## Antonyms
- apical
- superficial
- secondary

## Derived Forms
- basally

## Related Forms
- base
- basis
- basic

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: basis
- Root: bainein

## Etymology
From base plus the suffix -al; base is from Latin basis, from Ancient Greek basis ('a step, foundation').

## AI Etymology
Basal is an adjective meaning "forming or belonging to a base; fundamental". Historically, it is from base plus the suffix -al; base is from Latin basis, from Ancient Greek basis ('a step, foundation'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: basal is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The modern meaning, "forming or belonging to a base; fundamental", follows the base word through the added English ending. The historical chain links Latin basis, Ancient Greek basis, and Ancient Greek bainein. Close English family members include basally, base, basis, and basic.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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basal

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