pepper Definition

pepper
noun

1a. A perennial climbing shrub, widely cultivated for its small red berries which are dried to form peppercorns;
1b. A pungent seasoning prepared from the dried berries of this plant, usually by grinding them into a powder. See also black pepper, white pepper.
2a. Any of various tropical shrubs cultivated for their large red, green or yellow edible fruits, eg chilli pepper;
2b. The fruit of these plants, eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Also called capsicum, sweet pepper.
3. cayenne pepper.

verb peppered, peppering

1. To bombard something or someone (with missiles).
2. To sprinkle liberally

Example: The text was peppered with errors.
3. To season (a dish, etc) with pepper.

Derivative: peppery
adj

See separate entry.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon pipor, from Latin piper.