mint

¹

[mint]

noun

1. any aromatic herb of the genus Mentha, having opposite leaves and small, whorled flowers, as the spearmint and peppermint.

2. a soft or hard confection or candy flavored with spearmint or peppermint.

   after-dinner mints.

3. mint green. a light green color with a cool, bluish undertone.

   The cushion comes in mint or orange.

adjective

1. made or flavored with mint.

   mint tea.

2. of the color mint.

mint

²

[mint]

noun

1. a place where coins, paper currency, special medals, etc., are produced under government authority.

2. a place where something is produced or manufactured

3. a vast amount, especially of money.

   He made a mint in oil wells.

adjective

1. Philately.,  (of a stamp) being in its original, unused condition.

2. unused or appearing to be newly made and never used.

   a book in mint condition.

verb (used with object)

1. to make (coins, money, etc.) by stamping metal.

2. to turn (metal) into coins.

   to mint gold into sovereigns.

3. to make or fabricate; invent.

   to mint words.

mint

³

[mint]

noun

1. intent; purpose.

2. an attempt; try; effort.

verb (used with object)

1. to try (something); attempt.

2. to take aim at (something) with a gun.

3. to hit or strike at (someone or something).

verb (used without object)

1. to try; attempt.

2. to take aim.

mint

¹

/ mɪnt /

noun

1. a place where money is coined by governmental authority

2. a very large amount of money

   he made a mint in business

adjective

1. (of coins, postage stamps, etc) in perfect condition as issued

2. informal,  excellent; impressive

3. in perfect condition; as if new

verb

1. to make (coins) by stamping metal

2. (tr) to invent (esp phrases or words)

mint

²

/ mɪnt /

noun

1. any N temperate plant of the genus Mentha , having aromatic leaves and spikes of small typically mauve flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates). The leaves of some species are used for seasoning and flavouring See also peppermint spearmint horsemint water mint

2. another name for dittany

3. a sweet flavoured with mint

Other Word Forms

• minter noun
• minty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mint¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English minte (cognate with Old High German minza ), from Latin ment(h)a, from the same source as Greek mínthē

Origin of mint²

First recorded before 900; Middle English mint(e), Old English mynet “coin, coinage, money,” from Latin monēta “coin, mint,” after the temple of Juno Monēta, where Roman money was coined

Origin of mint³

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb minten, munte(n) “to intend, plan, think of,” Old English myntan, gemyntan “to mean, intend”; akin to mind; noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mint¹

Old English mynet coin, from Latin monēta money, mint, from the temple of Juno Monēta, used as a mint in ancient Rome

Origin of mint²

Old English minte, from Latin mentha, from Greek minthē; compare Old High German minza

Example Sentences

Now this season, he’ll play a much more essential role for the Trojans as their newly minted starting center.

From Los Angeles Times

Sage gets to announce fall, mint conjures spring, dill earns cult status in Alison Roman’s corner of the internet and garlic is beloved across the board.

From Salon

Bright green coyote mint adds more fragrance and color with its violet puffs of flowers.

From Los Angeles Times

“Coyote mint is taking over our creek bed.”

From Los Angeles Times

The last time Alaska took centre-stage in an American diplomatic event was in March 2021, when Joe Biden's newly minted diplomatic and national security team met their Chinese counterparts in Anchorage.

From BBC