spearmint

spearmint
/spear"mint'/, n.
an aromatic herb, Mentha spicata, having lance-shaped leaves used for flavoring.
[1530-40; SPEAR1 + MINT1]

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Aromatic herb (Mentha spicata) of the mint family, the common garden mint widely used for culinary purposes.

It has lax, tapering spikes of reddish lilac flowers similar to peppermint flowers and sharply serrated leaves that are used fresh or dried to flavour many foods. The aroma and taste of spearmint are similar to those of peppermint but not as strong. Native to Europe and Asia, spearmint has been naturalized in North America.

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▪ plant
 (species Mentha spicata), aromatic herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae, or Labiatae), the common garden mint widely used for culinary purposes. It has lax, tapering spikes of flowers similar to peppermint flowers and sharply serrated leaves that are used fresh or dried to flavour many foods, particularly sweets, beverages, jellies, salads, soups, cheeses, meats, fish, sauces, fruits, and vegetables. The aroma and taste of spearmint are similar to those of peppermint but less strong. Native to Europe and Asia, spearmint has been naturalized in North America.

      Oil obtained from spearmint leaves is used to flavour candies and jellies. The principal component is carvone.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Spearmint — Pays d’origine Londres, Royaume Uni Genre musical Indie pop Années d activité Depuis 1995 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Spearmint — Spear mint , n. [So named from its spiry, not capitate, inflorescence. Dr. Prior.] (Bot.) A species of mint ({Mentha viridis}) growing in moist soil. It vields an aromatic oil. See {Mint}, and {Mentha}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spearmint — (n.) 1530s, from SPEAR (Cf. spear) (n.1) + MINT (Cf. mint) (n.1) …   Etymology dictionary

  • spearmint — ► NOUN ▪ the common garden mint, which is used in cooking as a herb and in flavouring …   English terms dictionary

  • spearmint — [spir′mint΄] n. [prob. from the appearance of the flowers on the stem] a fragrant perennial plant (Mentha spicata) of the mint family, used for flavoring …   English World dictionary

  • spearmint — The leaves and flowering tops of Mentha viridis (green garden or lamb mint) or M. cardiaca (family Labiatae); a carminative and flavoring agent. s. oil the volatile oil, distilled with steam from the fresh overground parts of the flowering plant… …   Medical dictionary

  • Spearmint — Mint Mint (m[i^]nt), n. [AS. minte, fr. L. mentha, Gr. mi nqa, mi nqh.] (Bot.) The name of several aromatic labiate plants, mostly of the genus {Mentha}, yielding odoriferous essential oils by distillation. See {Mentha}. [1913 Webster] Note:… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spearmint — Grüne Minze Grüne Minze (Mentha spicata) Systematik Klasse: Dreifurchenpollen Zweikeimblättrige (Rosopsida) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • spearmint — [[t]spɪ͟ə(r)mɪnt[/t]] N UNCOUNT Spearmint is a plant whose leaves have a strong smell and taste. It is often used for flavouring foods, especially sweets …   English dictionary

  • spearmint — noun (U) 1 a fresh mint 1 (1) taste, often used in sweets: spearmint chewing gum 2 the mint 1 (2) plant that this taste comes from …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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