perilla

noun

pe·​ril·​la pə-ˈri-lə 

: any of a genus (Perilla) of Asian mints that have a bilabiate fruiting calyx and rugose nutlets

Examples of perilla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Starters include delicious ‘cheese balls’ or pan frito, made with cotija cheese, serrano chile, chestnut butter and pine thistle, a wagyu tri-tip kebab + perilla leaf, blue prawn tostada and a sea urchin stew. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025

In addition to sun protection, both products feature microalgae extract, cotton seed extract, pomegranate flower, perilla leaf and kakadu plum complex, raspberry seed oil and buriti oil, which all fight against the signs of aging and skin damage caused by the sun. —Emily Burns, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Downtown, Moon Rabbit offers a modern take on traditional Vietnamese flavors; the lemongrass-marinated Wagyu wrapped in perilla leaves is one favorite. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024

Perilla mint Often found in disturbed areas, perilla mint leaves are edible and can be used in salads or as garnish. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, of unknown origin

Note: Taxon introduced by Linnaeus in Genera plantarum, 6th edition, (Stockholm, 1764), p. 578. Linnaeus gives no source or explanation for the coinage. The name Perilla is known in Latin literature from poems addressed by Ovid to a real or pseudonymous "Perilla," though inscriptional evidence for such a given name in Rome is apparently lacking.

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perilla

• axilla
• flotilla
• gorilla
• guerilla
• guerrilla
• manilla
• mantilla
• maxilla
• mesilla
• papilla
• priscilla
• scintilla