peppercorn

[ pep-er-kawrn ]

/ ˈpɛp ərˌkɔrn /

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

anything very small or insignificant.

(of hair) growing in tight spirals.

Origin of peppercorn

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

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

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
One peppercorn to-day is better than a basketful of pumpkins to-morrow.

Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala |Various
Peppercorn went to live in the house of an old woman in the city.

Serbian Folk-lore |Anonymous
Peppercorn, the keeper, had a much readier way of settling their business.

Ask Momma |R. S. Surtees

Peppercorn, however, did not stop long to think about the matter, but quickly drew his wonderful sword and killed the monster.

Serbian Folk-lore |Anonymous
"That's a decent, good-natured Screech Owl," said Peppercorn.

Horse-Shoe Robinson |John Pendleton Kennedy

peppercorn

/ (ˈpɛpəˌkɔːn) /

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

something trifling