The word basil can be used in several ways:

• There is a plant and herb called basil.
• There was a 1998 film by the title Basil .
• Several people related to Christianity:
  • Basil of Caesarea, also known as Basil the Great, was a 4th century bishop of Caesarea.
  • Basil Fool for Christ was a Russian saint.
  • Saint Basil of Ostrog was a Serbian saint
• There were two Byzantine emperors with the name Basil:
  • Basil I the Macedonian (811-886, ruled 867-886)
  • Basil II Bulgaroktonus (958-1025, ruled 976-1025)
• There were four Russian rulers with the name Vasili, which is anglicized Basil:
  • Vasili I of Russia Grand Prince from 1389-1425
  • Vasili II of Russia Grand Prince from 1425-1462
  • Vasili III of Russia Tsar from 1505-1533
  • Vasili IV of Russia Tsar from 1606-1610
• Several entertainers:
  • Toni Basil is a US singer and dancer.
  • Basil White is a US standup comedian.
  • Basil Rathbone was an English actor.
• Several fictional characters:
  • Basil Argyros, a spy for an alternate Byzantine Empire
  • Basil Flint, P.I., a fictional private eye