basilicon

English

Alternative forms

• basilicum

Etymology

From the Ancient Greek βασιλικόν (basilikón) (also in the form basilicum, via the Latin basilicum), the neuter form of βασιλικός (basilikós, “royal”) (basilicus in Latin), understood as in the phrase βασιλικόν φάρμακον (basilikón phármakon, “royal drug”). Doublet of basil and basilicum.

Noun

basilicon (usually uncountable, plural basilicons)

1. (archaic, medicine) Any of various ointments believed to have “sovereign” virtues.

Further reading

• basilicon on Wikipedia.Wikipedia