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pepper Definition

pep·per (pepər)

noun

    1. a pungent condiment obtained from the small, dried fruits of an East Indian vine (Piper nigrum) of the pepper family
    2. this smooth, soft-stemmed vine
  1. any of various aromatic or pungent plants of several families, as the myrtle or ginger family, used in flavoring foods
  2. capsicum
  3. Baseball a warm-up or practice session in which the ball is repeatedly thrown to a batter close by, who bunts it back to be fielded

Etymology: ME peper < OE pipor < WGmc borrowing < L piper < Gr peperi, via Pers < Sans pippali, peppercorn

adjective

designating a family (Piperaceae, order Piperales) of dicotyledonous plants, including cubeb

transitive verb

  1. to sprinkle or flavor with ground pepper
  2. to sprinkle freely or thickly
  3. to shower or pelt with many small objects a roof peppered with hailstones
  4. to beat or hit with short, quick jabs

pepper Synonyms

pepper

n.

Common peppers include: red, sweet, hot, black, purple, yellow, cayenne, green, pimiento, jalapeño, banana, chili, habanero, paprika, bonnet;

Varieties of peppers include: California Wonder, Chinese Giant, Ruby King, Perfection, King of the North, Yellow Giant, Sweet Mango, Hungarian Wax, Banana, Tuscan, Pepperoncini, Sante Fe Grande, Ancho chili, Poblano, Red Cherry, Anaheim, Serrano.

pepper Usage Examples

Object

  • moth: Clearly, we need to know more about the life history of the peppered moth.

Converse of object

  • grind: Salt can be replaced by a wide range of herbs, spices, lemon juice, vinegars or freshly ground black pepper.
  • roast: The roasted sweet pepper awash with garlic provided a vibrant backdrop to a large roundel of goat's cheese oozing over its crostini perch.
  • chop: Lastly add the chopped pepper, which gives a lovely crunchy texture.
  • slice: Chop the chicken into fairly small pieces and add to the pan Fry until golden, and add the finely sliced green pepper.

Adjective modifier

  • black: Try freshly ground black pepper instead of adding salt.
  • red: Add the ground meat, red pepper, pepper, salt, spices the rice also.
  • sweet: A sweet pepper, again from the organic catalog.

Modifies a noun

  • shaker: Likewise, make sure there are enough salt and pepper shakers and butter dishes.
  • coulis: Starters include fresh asparagus with orange-flavoured hollandaise sauce and red pepper coulis.
  • spray: Keep your fingers on your pepper spray, just like I told you.
  • sauce: M: filet steak with pepper sauce; pasta dish of the day.
  • grinder: The member generally has the look of a chess pawn, bedpost, or pepper grinder.
  • saxifrage: Species within the meadows include Yorkshire fog, great burnet, Lady's bedstraw, common knapweed, meadow vetchling and pepper saxifrage.

Noun used with modifier

  • cayenne: Add more cayenne pepper to give a bit more heat.
  • chili: You can find decorative lights in every shape and style, from hot chili peppers to classic tiny white lights.
  • chili: Cayenne pepper This is a chili pepper I use a lot.
  • chile: It is usually made from lean pork, garlic, paprika, red bell peppers, and red chile pepper flakes.
  • jalapeno: The more adventurous could try a Mexican pizza with jalapeno peppers.
  • jalapeo: Taste and add salt and black pepper to taste and more jalapeño peppers if required.
pepper Quotes

A Child will make two Dishes at an Entertainment for Friends; and when the Family dines alone, the fore or hind Quarter will makea reasonable Dish; and seasoned with a little Pepper or Salt, will be very good Boiled on the fourth Day, especially in Winter.

—Swift,Jonathan

   A cucumber should be well sliced, and dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

Browse dictionary entries near pepper

  1. pepo
  2. peplum
  3. peplos
  4. Pepin the Short
  5. peperoni
  6. pep talk
  7. pep rally
  8. pep pill
  9. pep
  10. Peoria
  1. pepper-and-salt
  2. pepper mill
  3. pepper pot
  4. pepper shaker
  5. pepper tree
  6. pepperbox
  7. peppercorn
  8. peppergrass
  9. pepperidge
  10. peppermint