(ˌ)ɛlɪ̈ˈmɛnt(ə)ɹɪ ˌɛlɪ̈ˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi ˈpɹaɪməɹi ˈpɹaɪməɹi ˈpɹɒeməɹi ˈɹædɪkəl especially of leaves; located at the base of a plant or stem; especially arising directly from the root or rootstock or a root-like stem basal placentation radical leaves serving as or forming a base the painter applied a base coat followed by two finishing coats of or being the essential or basic part an elementary need for love and nurturing a basal reader