ˈpepper-ˌcastor, -caster
[See castor2.]
1. A small vessel with a perforated top, usually one of the castors of a cruet-stand, for sprinkling pepper at table.
| 1676 Lond. Gaz. No. 1079/4 A Sugar Castar. A Pepper Caster. A Mustard Pot. 1836 [see castor2 1]. 1861 Alb. Smith Med. Student 42 The simple act of pouring the vinegar into the pepper-castor. 1891 A. Lang Angling Sk. 122 The happy-go-lucky disposition to scatter my Greek accents as it were with a pepper-caster. |
2. transf. a. = prec. 2: also attrib.
| 1859 Jephson Brittany x. 174 That hideous tower with the pepper-caster on the top. |
b. A slang term for a revolver.
| 1889 J. Jefferson Autobiog. iii. 72 Badger and I would trudge to our room arm in arm, carrying our money in a shot-bag between us, and each armed with a Colt's patent ‘pepper-caster’. |