basilar

adjective

bas·​i·​lar ˈba-zə-lər How to pronounce basilar (audio)
-sə-,
 also  ˈbā-
: of, relating to, or situated at the base

Examples of basilar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In 2010, Seely, who was a member or the Arizona State University triathlon team when she was diagnosed with Chiari II Malformation, basilar invagination, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affect her brain, spine, and connective tissues. Madison Thacker, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2021 Earnhardt and the others — Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin Jr, and Tony Roper — all died from basilar skull fractures. Paul Newberry, ajc, 3 Sep. 2021 His family said that in 1978 Dr. Hennessy made Maryland medical history by treating a basilar artery aneurysm using a posterior approach. Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, 3 July 2021 Sicknick had what the medical examiner called acute brainstem and cerebellar infarcts due to acute basilar artery thrombosis -- a specific type of blood clot in the brain. Jen Christensen, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 One day in 1981, Hubbard found himself with a new, unfortunately personal perspective on basilar skull fractures. Rachel Lance, Wired, 6 Dec. 2020 Since then, as of 2016, the most recent year for which data were found, not one single racing death from basilar skull fracture has occurred. Rachel Lance, Wired, 6 Dec. 2020 Just five years before Hamlin arrived on the scene, Earnhardt was the fourth driver to die of a basilar skull fracture in an eight-month span. Jenna Fryer, The Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2020 Thomas had a stroke May 24, caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem. David Woods, Indianapolis Star, 7 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'basilar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French basilaire, from base base entry 1 or Latin basis basis + -ilaire, extension of -aire -ary entry 2, after cimbalaire "cymbal-shaped," borrowed from Medieval Latin cymbalāris (from Latin cymbalum cymbal + -āris -ar)

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of basilar was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near basilar

Cite this Entry

“Basilar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basilar. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

basilar

adjective
bas·​i·​lar
ˈbaz-(ə-)lər, ˈbas- also ˈbāz- or ˈbās-
: of, relating to, or situated at the base
basilar fractures of the skull
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