basal: Meaning and Definition of
ba•sal
Pronunciation: (bā'sul, -zul), [key]
— adj.
- of, at, or forming the base.
- forming a basis; fundamental; basic.
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- indicating a standard low level of activity of an organism, as during total rest.
- of an amount required to maintain this level.
- serving to induce a preliminary or light anesthesia prior to total anesthetization.
- used in elementary instruction; fundamental: a basal reader.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.