Definitions for: Spice


[n] the property of being seasoned with spice and so highly flavored
[n] any of a variety of pungent aromatic vegetable substances used for flavoring food
[n] aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative
[v] make more interesting or flavorful, either in the literal or in a metaphorical sense; "Spice the soup"; "Spice up the evening by inviting a belly dancer"
[v] add herbs or spices to



Webster (1913) Definition: Spice, n. [OE. spice, spece, spice, species, OF. espice,
espece, F. ['e]pice spice, esp[`e]ce 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.]

The spices of penance ben three. --Chaucer.

Abstain you from all evil spice. --Wyclif (1.
Thess,v. 22).

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.

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.

Hast thou aught in thy purse [bag] any hot spices?
--Piers
Plowman.

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.

So much of the will, with a spice of the willful.
--Coleridge.


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.

She 'll receive thee, but will spice thy bread With
flowery poisons. --Chapman.

2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices.

In the spiced Indian air, by night. --Shak.

3. To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous.
[Obs.] ``A spiced conscience.'' --Chaucer.

Synonyms: spice up, spice up, spicery, spiciness, zest

See Also: allspice, alter, bite, change, Chinese anise, cinnamon, clove, five spice powder, flavor, flavorer, flavoring, flavour, flavourer, flavouring, ginger, ginger, hotness, mace, nip, nutmeg, pepper, pepperiness, piquance, piquancy, powdered ginger, preservative, pungency, season, seasoner, seasoning, sharpness, stacte, star anise, star aniseed, tang, tanginess, taste property, zest

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals beginning with x
animals begin with s