capsaicin

[ kap-sey-uh-sin ]

/ kæpˈseɪ ə sɪn /

noun

a colorless, crystalline, bitter compound, C18H27NO3, present in capsicum.

Nearby words

caproyl, caprylate, caprylic, caprylic acid, caps., capsaicin, capsian, capsicum, capsid, capsize, capsomere

Origin of capsaicin

1885–90; earlier capsicine, equivalent to capsic(um) + -ine²; refashioned with capsa- (< Latin: box) for caps- and -in² for -ine²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for capsaicin

And contrary to the belief that eating spicy foods can cause stomach ulcers, capsaicin is reported to hold digestive benefits.
Hot-Sauce Addicts|Abby Schneiderman|July 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The chief constituents are a crystallizable resin, capsaicin, a volatile alkaloid, capsicine and a volatile oil.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5|Various
Its discoverer states that capsaicin occurs only in the pericarp of the fruit.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for capsaicin

capsaicin

/ (kæpˈseɪɪsɪn) /

noun

a colourless crystalline bitter alkaloid found in capsicums and used as a flavouring in vinegar and pickles. Formula: C 18 H 27 O 3 N

Word Origin for capsaicin

C19 capsicine, from capsicum + -ine ²; modern form refashioned from Latin capsa box, case + -in

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for capsaicin

capsaicin

from capsicum, from which it is extracted + chemical suffixes.

Medicine definitions for capsaicin

capsaicin

[ kăp-sā′ĭ-sĭn ]

n.

A colorless, pungent, crystalline compound that is derived from the capsicum pepper and is a strong irritant to skin and mucous membranes.

Science definitions for capsaicin

capsaicin

[ kăp-sā′ĭ-sĭn ]

A colorless, extremely pungent, crystalline compound that is the primary active principle producing the heat of red peppers. It is a strong irritant to skin and mucous membranes and is used in medicine as a topical analgesic. Capsaicin is highly stable, retaining its potency for long periods and despite cooking or freezing. Chemical formula: C18H27NO3.