peppercorn

English

/ˈpɛpəkɔːn/, /ˈpɛpɚkɔɹn/

noun
Definitions
  • The seeds of the plant Piper nigrum. Commonly used as a spice, usually but not always ground or crushed.
  • A small, insignificant quantity; a nominal consideration used to satisfy the requirements for the creation of a legal contract.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English peper corn inherited from Old English piporcorn (peppercorn) compound from English pepper + English corn (maize, grain).

Origin

English

corn

Gloss

maize, grain

Concept
Semantic Field

Agriculture and vegetation

Ontological Category

Person/Thing

Kanji

Emoji
🌽

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms