n. The berry of the pimento (Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus); wild allspice (Lindera benzoin), called also spicebush, spicewood, and feverbush. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. aruspex: cf. F. aruspice. Cf. Aruspex, Haruspice. ] A soothsayer of ancient Rome. Same as Aruspex. [ Written also haruspice. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Auspices [ L. auspicium, fr. auspex: cf. F. auspice. See Auspicate, a. ] 1. A divining or taking of omens by observing birds; an omen as to an undertaking, drawn from birds; an augury; an omen or sign in general; an indication as to the future. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Protection; patronage and care; guidance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which by his auspice they will nobler make. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense the word is generally plural, auspices; as, under the auspices of the king. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To season with spice, or with some spicy drug. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. L. haruspex. ] A diviner of ancient Rome. Same as Aruspice. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. L. hospitium hospitality, a place where strangers are entertained, fr. hospes stranger, guest. See Host a landlord. ] A convent or monastery which is also a place of refuge or entertainment for travelers on some difficult road or pass, as in the Alps; as, the Hospice of the Great St. Bernard. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

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 ]

n. (Bot.) Spicewood. [ 1913 Webster ]

A small crisp cake, highly spiced. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. espicier, F. épicier. ] 1. One who seasons with spice. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who deals in spice. [ Obs. ] Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. espicerie, F. épicerie. ] 1. Spices, in general. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A repository of spices. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) An American shrub (Lindera Benzoin), the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; -- called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever bush. [ 1913 Webster ]