mint

¹

[ mint ]

noun

1. any aromatic herb of the genus Mentha, having opposite leaves and small, whorled flowers, as the spearmint and peppermint. Compare mint family.
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. 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. stone mint
   another name for dittany
3. a sweet flavoured with mint

mint

²

/ 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 mint condition
   in perfect condition; as if new

verb

1. to make (coins) by stamping metal
2. tr to invent (esp phrases or words)

Derived Forms

• ˈminty, adjective
• ˈminter, noun

Other Words From

• minter noun

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

Origin of mint²

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