basil (3)

[In Sw. basilika; Dan. basil i ken art; Dut. basilicum; Ger. basilikum and bas i lienkraut; Fr. basilic Ital. basilico; Lat. basilicum; from Gr. βασιλικός ( basilikos ) = royal; βασιλεύς ( basileus ) = a king.] The English name of the Ocymum, a genus of plants belonging to the order Lamiaceæ, or Labiates. The species are numerous; many of them come from the East Indies. They are fine-smelling plants. Sweet Basil or Basilicum is Ocymum basilicum. It is an aromatic pot-herb. Wild Basil is Calami nth a clinopodium . WILD BASIL.