Basal
/ˈbeɪ.səl/noun
Forming or serving as a base; located at the bottom or foundational level.
Did you know?Basal comes from the same ancient root as *basis* and *base*, a Greek word for “step” or “that on which one walks,” so its history is about footing, support, and what everything else stands on.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
basis
“a step; a standing place; a base or foundation”
Late Latin
Latin
basalis
“of or pertaining to a base”
Middle French
French
basal
“pertaining to a base or lower part”
Late 16th Century
English
basal
“relating to or forming a base”