peppercorn

peppercorn [pep-er-kawrn] ExamplesWord Origin 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.

adjective

3. (of hair) growing in tight spirals.

Origin of peppercorn before 1000; Middle English pepercorn; Old English piporcorn. See pepper, corn1 Related formspep·per·corn·ish, pep·per·corn·y, adjective Examples from the Web for peppercorn Contemporary Examples of peppercorn

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

Historical Examples of peppercorn

The Earl watched him go regretfully, for after all he had the horseshoe and peppercorn.

The Burglars’ Club

Henry A. Hering

Peppercorn, the keeper, had a much readier way of settling their business.

Ask Momma

R. S. Surtees

Peppercorn said to her, ‘I am your brother who was born after you left home, and my name is Peppercorn!’

Serbian Folk-lore

Anonymous

Peppercorn went to live in the house of an old woman in the city.

Serbian Folk-lore

Anonymous

When a very intense heat is required, the substance operated on should not exceed the size of half a peppercorn.

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 peppercorn peppercorn noun

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

Word Origin and History for peppercorn n.

late Old English, from pepper (n.) + corn (n.1).