spice

Definitions

1. 1.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. Hast thou aught in thy purse [bag] any hot spices Piers Plowman.
2. 2.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. So much of the will, with a spice of the willful. Coleridge.
3. 3.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. She 'll receive thee, but will spice thy bread With flowery poisons. Chapman.
4. 4.To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices. In the spiced Indian air, by night. Shak.
5. 5.To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. [Obs.] "A spiced conscience." Chaucer.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "spice" mean?
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Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is spice.

• What is to fill or impregnate with the odor of spices. In the spiced Indian air, by night. Shak called?
• What is to render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. [Obs.] "A spiced conscience." Chaucer called?