mace

¹

[ meys ]

noun

1. a clublike armor-breaking weapon of war, often with a flanged or spiked metal head, used chiefly in the Middle Ages.
2. a ceremonial staff carried before or by certain officials as a symbol of office.
3. macebearer.
4. Billiards. a light stick with a flat head, formerly used at times instead of a cue.

mace

²

[ meys ]

noun

1. a spice ground from the layer between a nutmeg shell and its outer husk, resembling nutmeg in flavor.

Mace

³

[ meys ]

Trademark.

1. Also called Chemical Mace. a nonlethal spray containing purified tear gas and chemical solvents that temporarily incapacitate a person mainly by causing eye and skin irritations: used especially as a means of subduing rioters.

verb (used with object)

, Maced, Mac·ing.

1. (sometimes lowercase) to attack with Mace spray.

Mace

¹

/ meɪs /

noun

1. a liquid causing tears and nausea, used as a spray for riot control, etc

verb

1. tr; sometimes not capital to use Mace on

mace

²

/ meɪs /

noun

1. a spice made from the dried aril round the nutmeg seed

mace

³

/ meɪs /

noun

1. a club, usually having a spiked metal head, used esp in the Middle Ages
2. a ceremonial staff of office carried by certain officials
3. See macebearer
4. an early form of billiard cue

Word History and Origins

Origin of mace¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French (compare French masse ) large mallet < Vulgar Latin *mattea; akin to Latin matteola kind of mallet; compare Sanskrit matya harrow

Origin of mace²

1350–1400; Middle English, back formation from macis (taken as plural) < Middle French < Latin maccis a spice

Origin of mace³

1965–70; probably from mace ¹( def ) (in the sense “clublike weapon”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of mace¹

C14: formed as a singular from Old French macis (wrongly assumed to be plural), from Latin macir an oriental spice

Origin of mace²

C13: from Old French, probably from Vulgar Latin mattea (unattested); apparently related to Latin mateola mallet

Example Sentences

They were mixed with the go-to expensive spices of the day: cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, ginger and sugar.

From Salon

He said that the values inscribed on the mace his mother had given the Parliament 25 years ago - wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity - were the "most Scottish of values".

From BBC

Some protesters stormed parliament last month setting part of it on fire and stealing the mace, the symbol of the legislature's authority.

From BBC

They said more than 150 students were attacked with pepper spray and bear mace, and at least 25 students were hospitalized for head trauma, fractures and severe lacerations.

From Los Angeles Times

The mob ripped down barricades, hurled objects, launched fireworks and sprayed mace, injuring several at the encampment, which had been standing outside Royce Hall since April 25.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baton