Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
Pi·per Pronunciation:
'pI-p&r, 'pip-&r Function:
noun : a very large genus (the type of the family Piperaceae) of tropical plantsthat comprise the true peppers, are mostly climbing jointed shrubs with entire stipulate leaves and pulpy fruit, and include the betel (
P. betle), kava (
P. methysticum), and matico (
P.angustifolium) and the sources of cubebs (from
P. cubeba) and black and white pepper (from
P. nigrum)
[pahy-per] 
pər
