Definition of the word minted

The word "minted" has a fascinating history. It comes from the Old English word "mynan," which means "to coin" or "to strike." This is because the mint, an institution that produces coins, was the original place where coins were "minted" or made. In the 14th century, the verb "mint" emerged, meaning "to produce or manufacture" coins. Over time, the noun "mint" referred not just to the institution but also to the coins themselves. By the 17th century, the verb "minted" emerged, meaning "to be made or produced by the mint" or "to coin or create." This sense of the word has since expanded to include figurative meanings, such as "to originate" or "to create" something new. Today, "minted" is often used in expressions like "a minted phrase" or "a minted idea," implying something freshly coined or recently created.