What Does `basal` Mean?

Basal is a quite simple term and it is just the adjective of the term base. But after becoming an adjective the scope of its uses are simply become very vast.
     
Besides conveying the definition that it is something that form the base of an object it also says something about the base. Sometimes you will find its use in botany where it is used as term for the leaves that come out at the base.
     
It can be used as a figurative term also where it describes about the fundamentals of an object or a theory and also the hard core facts about something or to convey the importance. Sometimes it is also used to show the grade of a particular person or object as the basal is something that is situated at the lowest echelons of the phenomenon.