I. ˈpīpə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English, one that plays a pipe, from Old English pīpere, from pīpan to play a pipe + -ere -er; in other senses, partly from pipe (I) + -er; partly from pipe (II) + -er — more at pipe
1.
a. : one that plays on a pipe (as a bagpipe)
b. : a young pigeon
c.
[so called from the piping sound it makes when caught]
: a European gurnard ( Trigla lyra ) having a large head with prominent nasal projections
2. : a maker, layer, or repairer of pipes
a water piper
3. : a caddisworm that lives in a piece of reed
4. : a mine fissure from which gas is discharged
5.
a. : a sewing machine attachment for applying piping
b. : a worker who pipes garments, shoes, or other articles
II. ˈpīpə(r), ˈpip- noun
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, pepper — more at pepper
: a very large genus (the type of the family Piperaceae) of tropical plants comprising the true peppers and being mostly climbing jointed shrubs with entire stipulate leaves and baccate fruit — see betel , black pepper