Cayenne

name

Etymology: From French Cayenne, a form of Guyana. But said by the French to be from French cayenne (“naval barracks, shore kitchen”).

1. The capital city of French Guiana department.

noun

1. Ellipsis of cayenne pepper.

   “What's the difference between a cayenne and a jalapeno?”

   “His barbecue sauce could use a hint of cayenne to heat it up a bit.”

2. Spice or verve.

   “We speak ill of our neighbours, not from ill-nature, but idleness; satire is only the cayenne of conversation:...”

3. A strong red-orange colour, like the cayenne pepper.