First Known Use: 1756
Dictionary
cayenne pepper
noun
: a red powder that is made from hot peppers and that is used as a spice to give a hot taste to food
Full Definition of CAYENNE PEPPER
1
: a pungent condiment consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot peppers
2
: hot pepper; especially : any of several cultivated peppers of a variety (Capsicum annuum longum) with very long twisted pungent red fruits
3
: the fruit of a cayenne pepper
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Origin of CAYENNE PEPPER
by folk etymology from earlier cayan, ultimately modification of Tupi kʔjá, kʔnʸá
CAYENNE PEPPER Defined for Kids
cayenne pepper
noun cay·enne pepper \ˌkī-ˈen-, ˌkā-ˈen-\
Definition of CAYENNE PEPPER for Kids
: dried ripe hot peppers ground and used to add flavor to food
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