basal: Meaning and Definition of

ba•sal

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