lace

[ leys ]

noun

1. a netlike ornamental fabric made of threads by hand or machine.
2. a cord or string for holding or drawing together, as when passed through holes in opposite edges.
3. ornamental cord or braid, especially of gold or silver, used to decorate uniforms, hats, etc.
4. a small amount of alcoholic liquor or other substance added to food or drink.

verb (used with object)

, laced, lac·ing.

1. to fasten, draw together, or compress by or as if by means of a lace.
2. to pass (a cord, leather strip, etc.), as through holes.
3. to interlace or intertwine.
4. to adorn or trim with lace.
5. to add a small amount of alcoholic liquor or other substance to (food or drink):

   He took his coffee laced with brandy.

6. to lash, beat, or thrash.
7. to compress the waist of (a person) by drawing tight the laces of a corset, or the like.
8. to mark or streak, as with color.

verb (used without object)

, laced, lac·ing.

1. to be fastened with a lace:

   These shoes lace up the side.

2. to attack physically or verbally (often followed by into ):

   The teacher laced into his students.

lace

/ leɪs /

noun

1. a delicate decorative fabric made from cotton, silk, etc, woven in an open web of different symmetrical patterns and figures
2. a cord or string drawn through holes or eyelets or around hooks to fasten a shoe or garment
3. ornamental braid often used on military uniforms, etc
4. a dash of spirits added to a beverage

verb

1. to fasten (shoes, etc) with a lace
2. tr to draw (a cord or thread) through holes, eyes, etc, as when tying shoes
3. tr to compress the waist of (someone), as with a corset
4. tr to add a small amount of alcohol or drugs to (food or drink)
5. tr; usually passiveand foll bywith to streak or mark with lines or colours

   the sky was laced with red

6. tr to intertwine; interlace
7. informal.
   tr to give a sound beating to

Derived Forms

• ˈlacer, noun
• ˈlaceˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• lacelike adjective
• lacer noun
• re·lace verb relaced relacing
• well-laced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lace¹

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English las < Old French laz, las ≪ Latin laqueus noose; (v.) Middle English lasen < Middle French lacier, lasser, lachier ( French lacer ) ≪ Latin laqueāre to enclose in a noose, trap

Word History and Origins

Origin of lace¹

C13 las, from Old French laz, from Latin laqueus noose

Example Sentences

Everyone in her group was laden with two or three cone-shaped bundles — a couple dozen each of ranunculus, sweet peas, lisianthus, Queen Anne’s lace, spray roses and large roses in ivory and white.

From Los Angeles Times

Steeped in Gothic and Renaissance-era references, Bernad’s romantic designs feature almost exclusively antique lace and crochet in shades of cream and ivory, and sometimes black or the softest pink.

From Los Angeles Times

My style was more sleazy vintage: crazy ’80s lace, red leather, studded pieces that were really influenced by all the metal I was listening to.

From Los Angeles Times

The royal couple's lavish cake consisted of four tiers and was laced with alcohol for the wedding on 20 November 1947.

From BBC

It was an awful challenge heavily laced with bad intent.

From BBC

Related Words

• fortify
• interweave
• mix
• spike
• strap