(n)colorless pungent crystalline compound derived from capsicum; source of the hotness of hot peppers of the genus Capsicum such as chili and cayenne and jalapeno
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. [ From Capsicum. ] (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance extracted from the Capsicum annuum, and giving off vapors of intense acridity. [ 1913 Webster ]