n. 1. A Eurasian mint (Mentha pulegium) having small lilac-blue flowers and ovate or nearly orbicular leaves that yield an essential oil formerly used medicinally and as an insect repellent. 2. An aromatic eastern North American mint (Hedeoma pulegioides) having purple-blue flowers and lanceolate to ovate leaves that yield a similar essential oil. [Probably by folk etymology from Middle English puliol real, from Anglo-Norman : puliol, thyme (from Latin pūlegium) + real, royal (from Latin rēgālis; see REGAL).] |
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