Functional Ray Mint

Latin fūnctiō, performance — adjectival suffix -al. As a color modifier, functional implies a clear-and-purpose-fit-and-utilitarian quality, the crisp color of Mid-Century-Modern and Bauhaus form-follows-function design-aesthetic. Sits at the crisp-and-functional end of the grid, parallel to practical and utilitarian in usage.

Latin radius, spoke-or-beam. As a color modifier, ray implies a radiant-and-spoke-of-light quality, the visual register of Bernini-Gloria-and-Baroque-altarpiece-ray hand-radiant-and-spoke-of-light Bernini-Gloria-and-Baroque-altarpiece-and-Counter-Reformation rayed-and-radiant-and-spoke-of-light surfaces under Bernini-Gloria-and-Baroque-altarpiece-and-Counter-Reformation gilded-spoke-and-altar-and-cathedral-dome heavenly-light. Sits at the modifier-and-mood end of the grid, parallel to beam and gleam in usage.

The genus Mentha — peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, water mint — the cooling herb whose menthol gives it that quality at the molecular level. The color refers to fresh peppermint leaves before drying: a clean, slightly cool green with the matte finish of trichome-rich leaf surface. Lighter than basil, cooler than parsley, with the mojito-and-Pimm's association of a herb tied to summer drinks across two continents.