spearmint
spearmint Lexical Profile
spearmint Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A widely cultivated aromatic herb (Mentha spicata) of the mint family, native to Europe and Asia, characterized by its sharply pointed leaves and pink or lilac flowers.
"She planted a patch of spearmint in her garden to use in fresh summer teas and cocktails."
The essential oil extracted from the spearmint plant, or the sweet, mild mint flavoring derived from it.
"The recipe calls for a few drops of spearmint to give the frosting a cool, refreshing taste."
A piece of candy, chewing gum, or lozenge flavored with spearmint.
"He offered his colleague a spearmint to freshen her breath before the meeting."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 16th century, combining 'spear' (in reference to the pointed, spear-like shape of its leaves) and 'mint' (from Old English 'minte', derived from Latin 'mentha').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.