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pennyroyal

noun pen·ny·roy·al \ ˌpen-ē-ˈrȯi(-ə)l , ˈpe-ni-ˌrī(-ə)l \

Definition of pennyroyal

1 : a European perennial mint (Mentha pulegium) with small aromatic leaves

2 : an aromatic North American mint (Hedeoma pulegioides) that has blue or violet flowers borne in axillary tufts and yields an oil used in folk medicine or to drive away mosquitoes

Recent Examples of pennyroyal from the Web

Among the essential oils that are toxic to pets are cinnamon, citrus, lemon, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree, thyme, wintergreen and ylang ylang.

— kim campbell thornton, sacbee, "Anxieties about veterinary visits can and should be addressed | The Sacramento Bee," 17 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pennyroyal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pennyroyal

probably alteration of Anglo-French puliol real, from puliol pennyroyal (ultimately from Latin puleium) + real royal

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

pennyroyal

noun pen·ny·roy·al \ ˌpen-ē-ˈrȯi(-ə)l , ˈpen-i-ˌrīl \

medical Definition of pennyroyal

: any of several mints; especially : an aromatic American mint (Hedeoma pulegioides) that yields pennyroyal oil

Learn More about pennyroyal

See words that rhyme with pennyroyal Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pennyroyal

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