peppercorn

[ pep-er-kawrn ]

/ ˈpɛp ərˌkɔrn /

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noun

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

anything very small or insignificant.

adjective

(of hair) growing in tight spirals.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of peppercorn

before 1000; Middle English pepercorn;Old English piporcorn.See pepper, corn¹

OTHER WORDS FROM peppercorn

pep·per·corn·ish, pep·per·corn·y, adjective

Words nearby peppercorn

pepo, pepper, pepper-and-salt, pepperbox, pepperbush, peppercorn, peppercorn rent, peppered moth, pepper family, pepper game, peppergrass

How to use peppercorn in a sentence

The tip of the iceberg finds chicken smoked over tea leaves, cigar-length pork potstickers, crisp cabbage ignited with Sichuan peppercorns, and nugget-size steamed spareribs, coated in soft rice crumbs seasoned with five-spice powder.
2021 Fall Dining Guide|Tom Sietsema|October 6, 2021|Washington Post
The sight of a tall hamburger being ferried through the long and narrow dining room has me rethinking my order, a thought dismissed as I tuck into tender hanger steak lapped with green peppercorn sauce.
2021 Fall Dining Guide|Tom Sietsema|October 6, 2021|Washington Post
In NIF’s fusion experiments, 192 laser beams converge on a small cylinder containing a peppercorn-sized fuel capsule.
With a powerful laser blast, scientists near a nuclear fusion milestone|Emily Conover|August 18, 2021|Science News
Southwest China is a hub for lacto-fermented vegetables, where fresh bamboo shoots, crisp cucumbers, radishes, and carrots are quickly blanched, cut into pieces, put into a salt brine with Sichuan peppercorns, then topped with a bit of baijiu.
Forget Canning, and Get Yourself a Chinese Pickle Crock|Clarissa Wei|July 14, 2021|Eater

That’s tequila lit with Sichuan peppercorns and subtly fruity with lemon and peach.
At Lucky Danger, two talented chefs just want to have fun with their American Chinese food|Tom Sietsema|March 19, 2021|Washington Post
They paid only a peppercorn rent of £70 a month (including utilities), until a 2002 review of grace-and-favour homes.
Princess Michael Says Austerity Means No Restaurants Anymore (Just Catered Dinners At Home)|Tom Sykes|December 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Gravlax by Christopher Idone Sugar, salt, black peppercorn, and dill form the foundation of this classic gravlax recipe.
5 Recipes for Perfect Gravlax|Cookstr.com|December 29, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Its peppercorn bullets are good for a rabbit or pheasant, but would hardly disable a man.
Dr. Jolliffe's Boys|Lewis Hough
Peppercorn said he would rather gather wood and make the fire; so he went out and tumbled down some large trees with his mace.
Serbian Folk-lore|Anonymous
Notwithstanding this, Peppercorn went resolutely down the ravine, calling aloud upon his sister by name.
Serbian Folk-lore|Anonymous
Peppercorn waited patiently some time for the rope to be let down that he might be drawn up but no rope appeared.
Serbian Folk-lore|Anonymous
But Peppercorn said to her, ‘Don’t trouble yourself about me, only let me rest near you a little, for I am very tired.
Serbian Folk-lore|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for peppercorn

peppercorn

/ (ˈpɛpəˌkɔːn) /

noun

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

something trifling

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