Peppermint

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛpəˌmɪnt/

Definitions

1. A fragrant herb recognized for its sharp, cool flavor in cooking and beverages
2. A plant known for its refreshing aroma and intense mint flavor, commonly used to flavor food and drinks
3. An herb characterized by a cool, pungent scent often added to dishes and beverages for taste

Etymology: Peppermint is a compound of "pepper" and "mint," and the pairing describes the plant's bite. The mint is the family of aromatic herbs, and the pepper refers to the sharp, hot-tasting quality that sets this variety apart from its milder relatives. English speakers were combining the two ideas to name a plant that delivers a sensation closer to spice than to the cool sweetness of garden mint. The compound is transparent in a way many English plant names are not: a reader who knows both halves can work out the meaning immediately. Its formation is a plain English combination of two existing words rather than a borrowing from another language, so the word's history lies in its two components rather than in any distant source.

Synonyms: mint, spearmint, mentha, herb, aromatic