peppercorn

American  

[pep-er-kawrn] / ˈpɛp ərˌkɔrn /

noun

1. the berry of the pepper plant, Piper nigrum, dried and used as a condiment, in pickling, etc.

2. anything very small or insignificant.

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adjective

1. (of hair) growing in tight spirals.

peppercorn British  

/ ˈpɛpəˌkɔːn /

noun

1. the small dried berry of the pepper plant ( Piper nigrum )

2. something trifling

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Other Word Forms

• peppercornish adjective
• peppercorny adjective

Etymology

Origin of peppercorn

before 1000; Middle English pepercorn; Old English piporcorn. See pepper, corn ¹

Example Sentences

To investigate the source of mummy scents, researchers examined the air surrounding extremely small mummy fragments about the size of a peppercorn.

From Science Daily

Under the government's draft legislation, ground rents would ultimately be reduced to a peppercorn rate, effectively zero, after 40 years.

From BBC

As part of the government's reforms, ground rent will be capped at £250, before falling to a "peppercorn" rate - effectively zero - after 40 years.

From BBC

He said setting the limit at a peppercorn scenario would be his preferred choice but that he could accept a £250 cap due to the "risk of elongated legal challenge".

From BBC

There was also a token "peppercorn" payment, which the Crown Estate notes is standard practice for long leases, where there's an advance payment in lieu of rent.

From BBC