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Glite Dictionary
basil mint

basil mint

7.1
A plant from the eastern United States that lives for several years with narrow fragrant leaves and small green flowers
  • noun
  • /ˈbeɪzəl mɪnt/
  • US
translation icon : menta de albahaca
  • She rubbed the leaves of basil mint between her fingers to release their aroma.

Examples

  • The garden was filled with the fresh scent of basil mint after the rain.

  • I love adding basil mint to my salads.

  • Native to the eastern United States, basil mint is often used in herbal remedies.

  • Have you tried basil mint tea?

  • The garden was filled with the fresh scent of basil mint after the rain.

  • She rubbed the leaves of basil mint between her fingers to release their aroma.

  • I love adding basil mint to my salads.

Synonyms

Pycnanthemum virginianum
vsbasil mint
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that lives for many years with narrow mint-scented leaves and small green flowers

is the common name used instead of the scientific name
mountain mint
vsbasil mint
  • US
7.0

A small plant that lives for many years with scented leaves and small white flowers

is a specific eastern US perennial with narrow aromatic leaves
Koellia
vsbasil mint
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American herb with a strong mint smell often made into tea

is a specific eastern US perennial rather than a broad genus

Surface Forms

basil mint singular
basil mints plural

Morphology

basil + mint

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound: a B1 learner who knows 'basil' and 'mint' can infer it refers to an herb related to or combining qualities of basil and mint. The compositional pattern (type-of herb named by its constituents) is regular and cross-linguistically common, so the meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Basil mint may come from the herb's smell and look: its leaves smell a bit like basil and also like mint, so people put the two words together to name it. That's why the name tells you about the plant's scent.