Mint n.  Bot. The name of several aromatic labiate plants, mostly of the genus Mentha, yielding odoriferous essential oils by distillation. See Mentha.
 Note: ☞ Corn mint is Mentha arvensis. -- Horsemint is Mentha sylvestris, and in the United States Monarda punctata, which differs from the true mints in several respects. -- Mountain mint is any species of the related genus Pycnanthemum, common in North America. -- Peppermint is Mentha piperita. -- Spearmint is Mentha viridis. -- Water mint is Mentha aquatica.
 Mint camphor. Chem. See Menthol.
 Mint julep. See Julep.
 Mint sauce, a sauce flavored with spearmint, for meats.


 Pep·per·mint n.
 1. Bot. An aromatic and pungent plant of the genus Mentha (Mentha piperita), much used in medicine and confectionery.
 2. A volatile oil (oil of peppermint) distilled from the fresh herb; also, a well-known essence or spirit (essence of peppermint) obtained from it.
 3. A lozenge of sugar flavored with peppermint.
 Peppermint camphor. Chem. Same as Menthol.
 Peppermint tree Bot., a name given to several Australian species of gum tree (Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus piperita, E. odorata, etc.) which have hard and durable wood, and yield an essential oil.

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 Mentha piperita
      n : herb with downy leaves and small purple or white flowers
          that yields a pungent oil used as a flavoring [syn: peppermint]