basal
- 01 C1 Advanced
adj.relating to or forming the bottom part or the base of something.
adj.relating to, located at, or forming the base or foundation of a biological or physical structure.
Simple“The researchers examined the basal layer of the skin to see how new cells grow.”
In context“The architectural integrity of the structure depends on the basal support columns, which distribute the weight evenly across the bedrock.”
UsageOften used in anatomy and botany to describe the lowest part of an organ or plant.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.the lowest level of energy or activity needed to keep a living thing alive.
adj.relating to the minimum level of energy or physiological activity required to maintain the life of an organism at rest.
Simple“Your basal metabolic rate is the number of calories your body burns just to stay alive.”
In context“The patient's basal insulin levels remained stable throughout the night, indicating that the long-acting dosage was correctly calibrated.”
UsageFrequently appears in the phrase 'basal metabolic rate' (BMR).
- 03 C2 Proficiency
adj.describing a group of living things that branched off very early in their history.
adj.denoting a lineage or taxon that diverged earlier than other groups in a phylogenetic tree.
Simple“Sponges are considered a basal group in the animal kingdom.”
In context“The discovery of this fossil suggests that the species occupies a more basal position in the hominid lineage than previously assumed.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a part or structure that forms the base of something.
n.any biological or physical structure that serves as a base or foundation.
Simple“The basal of the leaf was wider than the tip.”
In context“Microscopic analysis revealed that the basal was composed of a different cellular matrix than the rest of the specimen.”
From base + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.