Bot. [mod. L. (Tournefort) of uncertain composition. Linnæus explained it from Gr. κάπτειν ‘to bite’ (rather ‘to gulp down’); but it is generally referred to L. capsa case, as if named from the pods. In either case the formation is etymologically irregular.]
1. A genus of tropical plants or shrubs (N.O. Solanaceæ), characterized by their hot pungent capsules and seeds.
The common annual capsicum or Guinea Pepper (C. annuum), and Spur Pepper (C. frutescens) produce the chillies of commerce, the chief source of Cayenne pepper. Other species are Bird Pepper (C. baccatum), Bell Pepper (C. grossum), Goat Pepper (C. fruticosum), etc.
[1664. Evelyn, Kal. Hort. (1729), 19. Sow on the Hot-bed … Capsicum Indicum … and the like rare and exotic Plants.]
1796. C. Marshall, Garden., xvi. (1813), 264. Capsicum is sometimes raised for its young pods to pickle.
1878. H. M. Stanley, Dark Cont., II. xii. 351. The capsicum with its red-hot berries rose in embowering masses.
2. The fruit of the capsicum; esp. the prepared fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum, an active stimulant, used chiefly as a condiment.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., II. s.v. Sallet, The Indian Capsicum superlatively hot and burning.
1787. J. Collins, in Med. Commun., II. 372. The active ingredient … is the capsicum.
1801. H. Headly, in Med. Jrnl., V. 425. The gangrenous disposition of the throat was only checked by capsicum.
1845. Darwin, Voy. Nat., xiii. (1852), 279. After tobacco, indigo came next in value; then capsicum.
Hence Capsicine, Chem., the active principle extracted from the capsules of capsicum.
1831. J. Davies, Manual Mat. Med., 161. Capsicine … when perfectly pure, is tasteless, inodorous, and crystallizes in acicular fragments.
1866. Treas. Bot., 219/1. A peculiar acrid fluid called capsicin, which is so pungent that half a grain of it volatilised in a large room, causes all who respire the contained air to cough and sneeze.
1863–79. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 747. Capsicine.
1875. H. C. Wood, Therap. (1879), 85. The name of Capsicin has been applied by different observers to the oil, to the resin, and to their combination, but should, I think, be dropped, as having no definite meaning.
