The Collaborative International Dictionary
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).
Basil thyme, a name given to the fragrant herbs Calamintha Acinos and Calamintha Nepeta.
Wild basil, a plant ( Calamintha clinopodium) of the Mint family.
Calamint \Cal"a*mint\ (-m[i^]nt), n. [OE. calamint, calemente (cf. F. calament) fr. L. calamintha, Gr. kalami`nqh, kala`minqos. See 1st Mint.] (Bot.) A genus of perennial plants ( Calamintha) of the Mint family, esp. the Calamintha Nepeta and Calamintha Acinos, which are called also basil thyme.
Usage examples of "calamintha nepeta".
The LESSER CALAMINT (Calamintha nepeta) is a variety of the herb possessing almost superior virtues, with a stronger odour, resembling that of Pennyroyal, and a moderately pungent taste somewhat like Spearmint, but warmer.