adjective
basal
BAY-suh
adjective
1
Forming the base or starting point of something; fundamental.
"The report covers the basal principles of the new tax system."
"Trust is basal to any good working relationship."
2
Relating to the base of a structure, organ, or organism in biology.
"The basal leaves of the plant grow close to the ground."
"Doctors measured his basal body temperature each morning."
How to Use Basal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the bottom or foundational part of something.
Common mistake
Most often seen in science and medicine — "basal metabolic rate" is the calories your body burns at complete rest.
Common pairings
basal rate
basal cells
basal leaves
basal metabolic rate
Word Forms
more basal comparative, basals plural, most basal superlative
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The report covers the _____ principles of the new tax system.
Etymology
From base + the adjective-forming suffix -al.