cayenne

¹

[kahy-en, key-, kahy-en]

noun

1. a hot, biting condiment composed of the ground pods and seeds of the pepper Capsicum annuum longum.

2. the long, wrinkled, twisted fruit of this plant.

3. the plant itself.

Cayenne

²

[kahy-en, key-]

noun

1. a seaport in and the capital of French Guiana.

2. Also called cayenne whist. (lowercase),  a variety of whist played with two full packs of 52 cards each.

Cayenne

/ keɪˈɛn /

noun

1. the capital of French Guiana, on an island at the mouth of the Cayenne River: French penal settlement from 1854 to 1938. Pop: 50 594 (1999)

Other Word Forms

• cayenned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cayenne¹

1750–60; short for cayenne pepper, formerly cayan < Tupi kyinha, but long associated with Cayenne

Example Sentences

Bread & butter pickles aren’t an ideal choice, but they could work for a spicier lemonade that incorporates cayenne pepper and jalapeños.

Read more on Salon

Each kettle corn popcorn is generously coated in honey powder and hot cayenne pepper, providing the perfect balance of two bold flavors.

Read more on Salon

The fried chicken is typically coated in a mixture of cayenne and paprika that singes the tongue.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The cafe now offers six varieties and Ms Geraedts said customers loved the dish's rich, comforting flavour, seasoned with cayenne pepper, nutmeg, paprika and Worcestershire sauce.

Read more on BBC

A pinch of cayenne, maybe, or a dash of white pepper, just to keep things lively.

Read more on Salon