mint´er

mint¹ «mihnt», noun.

1. a sweet-smelling herb often used for flavoring. Peppermint and spearmint are well-known kinds of mint. The mints comprise a genus of the mint family.

2. any other plant of the mint family.

3. a piece of candy, usually flavored with peppermint, often eaten after dinner: »

Pass the chocolate-covered mints, please.

╂[Old English minte, ultimately < Latin menta]

mint² «mihnt», noun, verb, adjective.

–n.

1. a place where money is coined by public authority: »

There are several mints in the United States, all part of the Federal government.

2. a large amount: »

A million dollars is a mint of money. He has a mint of reasons (Tennyson).

3. Figurative. a place where anything is made or fabricated.

4. Obsolete. a piece of money; coin.

–v.t.

1. to coin (money): »

The Federal government is the only agency allowed to mint money in the United States.

2. Figurative. to make or fabricate; originate: »

to mint words or phrases.

SYNONYM(S): invent.

–adj.

1. (of a stamp) in the condition of issue by the Post Office.

2. Figurative. without a blemish; as good as new: »

an antique car in mint condition.

╂[Old English mynet a coin, ultimately < Latin monēta mint. See em. of doublet money. (Cf. ↑money)]

–mint´er, noun.

mint³ «mihnt», Archaic.

–v.t.

1. to intend.

2. to attempt.

3. to aim (a blow): »

I will cleave to the brisket the first man that mints another stroke (Scott).

4. to hint at; insinuate.

–v.i.

1. to aim a blow; take aim in shooting.

2. to hint.

╂[Old English myntan]