| Spice | n. [ OE. spice, spece, spice, species, OF. espice, espece, F. épice spice, espèce species, fr. L. species particular sort or kind, a species, a sight, appearance, show, LL., spices, drugs, etc., of the same sort, fr. L. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Species. ] 1. Species; kind. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The spices of penance ben three. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] Abstain you from all evil spice. Wyclif (1. Thess, v. 22). [ 1913 Webster ] Justice, although it be but one entire virtue, yet is described in two kinds of spices. The one is named justice distributive, the other is called commutative. Sir T. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A vegetable production of many kinds, fragrant or aromatic and pungent to the taste, as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, cloves, etc., which are used in cookery and to flavor sauces, pickles, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] Hast thou aught in thy purse [ bag ] any hot spices? Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or pungency; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity or admixture; a sprinkling; as, a spice of mischief. [ 1913 Webster ] So much of the will, with a spice of the willful. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Spice | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spiced p. p. & vb. n. Spicing ] 1. To season with spice, or as with spice; to mix aromatic or pungent substances with; to flavor; to season; as, to spice wine; to spice one's words with wit. [ 1913 Webster ] She 'll receive thee, but will spice thy bread
With flowery poisons. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices. [ 1913 Webster ] In the spiced Indian air, by night. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. [ Obs. ] “A spiced conscience.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] |
