basal
adjective C2- Basic, elementary; relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin. · This is the basal idea.· The organism needs more energy on basal maintenance.
- Associated with the base of an organism or structure. · In the spring, basal leaves emerge from a stout taproot.
- Of a minimal level that is necessary for maintaining the health or life of an organism. · a basal diet
- In a phylogenetic tree, being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier. The earliest clade to branch in a larger clade. · Hittite is a basal Indo-European language.· A magnolia is a basal angiosperm.
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