Dictionary > Spice

Spice

spice
1. Species; kind. 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)
Origin: OE. Spice, spece, spice, species, OF. Espice, espece, F. Epice spice, espece 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. 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 odour of spices. In the spiced indian air, by night. (Shak)
3. To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. A spiced conscience.
Origin: Spiced; Spicing.


You will also like...

Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
New Zealand’s Unique Geographical History

Explore why New Zealand has such unique flora and fauna, and learn why long periods of geographical isolation. This less..

Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Learn about the general structure of a eukaryotic gene, the transcription factors, and post-transcriptional regulation....

Non-Mendelian Inheritance
Non-Mendelian Inheritance

In this tutorial, find out more about certain types of inheritance that does not follow the Mendelian inheritance patter..

Human Neurology
Human Neurology

Human Neurology deals essentially with the nervous system of humans. It also features the various theories put forward b..

Physical growth
Physical Development in Humans

This tutorial elaborates on the physical development of humans, particularly from puberty to adulthood. Read this tutori..

Oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell
The Central Nervous System

Myelin sheath is essential for a faster conductivity of signals. Know more about this feature of some neurons in the Cen..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics