Scoville scale

English

Etymology

Named for American chemist Wilbur Scoville, who devised it in 1912.

Proper noun

Scoville scale

1. A measure for the piquancy (“heat, burn, spiciness”) of various chili peppers, indicating the level of capsaicin.

Related terms

• Scoville heat unit, SHU
• Scoville unit