n. 1. a. An open, shallow, usually round container used especially for holding liquids. b. The amount that such a vessel can hold. 2. A washbowl; a sink. 3. a. A body of water that is connected to the sea and is partially or almost completely enclosed by land. b. A small body of water that is artificially enclosed. 4. See watershed. 5. Geology a. A broad tract of land in which the rock strata are tilted toward a common center. b. A large, bowl-shaped depression in the surface of the land or ocean floor. [Middle English, from Old French bacin, from Vulgar Latin *baccīnum, from *baccus, container, of Celtic origin.] basin·al adj. basined (-sĭnd) adj. |
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