pasilla

noun

pa·​sil·​la

päˈsēyä,

pə-,

-yə

plural -s

: a slender long usually dried chili pepper that is blackish brown when dried

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, probably diminutive of Spanish pasa raisin, from Latin passa (in uva passa raisins, literally, spread of grapes), feminine of passus, past participle of pandere to spread, unfold

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!