Pennyroyal

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛniˌrɔɪəl/

Definitions of pennyroyal

noun a European plant of the mint family, with small lilac flowers and leaves that yield an aromatic oil.

Example Sentences

A1 My grandmother used pennyroyal to make tea.

A2 Pennyroyal is often used in herbal remedies for stomach issues.

B1 The pennyroyal plant has a strong minty aroma.

B2 Essential oil extracted from pennyroyal is used in aromatherapy.

C1 Some people believe that pennyroyal can help repel insects.

C2 Pennyroyal has been historically used for its medicinal properties.

adjective relating to or characteristic of the pennyroyal plant.

Example Sentences

A1 She picked a pennyroyal plant from the garden.

A2 The tea had a hint of pennyroyal flavor.

B1 The herbalist recommended using pennyroyal oil for relaxation.

B2 The pennyroyal infusion was known for its medicinal properties.

C1 The chef experimented with pennyroyal in his gourmet dishes.

C2 The pennyroyal essence added a unique touch to the perfume.

Examples of pennyroyal in a Sentence

formal Pennyroyal is a herbaceous plant that is often used in traditional medicine.

informal I heard that pennyroyal tea is good for digestion.

slang I found some pennyroyal growing wild in the backyard.

figurative The scent of pennyroyal always brings back memories of my grandmother's garden.

Grammatical Forms of pennyroyal

• past tense: pennyroyal
• plural: pennyroyals
• comparative: more pennyroyal
• superlative: most pennyroyal
• present tense: pennyroyals
• future tense: will pennyroyal
• perfect tense: have pennyroyaled
• continuous tense: is pennyroyaling
• singular: pennyroyal
• positive degree: pennyroyal
• infinitive: to pennyroyal
• gerund: pennyroyaling
• participle: pennyroyaled

Origin and Evolution of pennyroyal

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'pennyroyal' is derived from the Old English word 'penigrafwe', which literally means 'penny royal' or 'penny of the field'. It was believed that the plant had the power to repel fleas and other insects, hence its association with the word 'penny' as a form of protection.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the usage of 'pennyroyal' shifted from primarily referring to the plant itself to also encompassing its medicinal properties, particularly as a remedy for digestive issues and menstrual irregularities. Today, 'pennyroyal' is commonly used to describe the plant species Mentha pulegium.