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Chili Pepper

/ˈtʃɪli ˈpɛpər/
nounCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A small, spicy fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus, often used in cooking to add heat and flavor.

    "She added chopped chili peppers to the stir-fry for an extra kick."
  2. 2

    Any of several varieties of Capsicum, typically characterized by their pungent flavor.

    "The market had a wide selection of chili peppers, from mild to extremely hot."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'chili' originates from the Nahuatl word 'chīlli', referring to the spicy fruit. The word 'pepper' comes from the Latin 'piper', which was used to describe the spice derived from black peppercorns. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various spicy fruits, including those from the Capsicum genus.

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