spice

[ spahys ]

noun

1. any of a class of pungent or aromatic substances of vegetable origin, as pepper, cinnamon, or cloves, used as seasoning, preservatives, etc.
2. such substances collectively or as material:

   Cookies without spice can be tasteless.

3. a spicy or aromatic odor or fragrance.
4. something that gives zest:

   a spice of humor in his solemnity.

5. a piquant, interesting element or quality; zest; piquancy:

   The anecdotes lent spice to her talk.

   Synonyms: charm, interest, zing

6. Archaic. a small quantity of something; trace; bit.

verb (used with object)

, spiced, spic·ing.

1. to prepare or season with a spice or spices.
2. to give zest, piquancy, or interest to by something added.

Trademark.

1. Spice. a brand name for a synthetic cannabis compound.

spice

/ spaɪs /

noun

1. 1. any of a variety of aromatic vegetable substances, such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, used as flavourings
   2. these substances collectively
2. something that represents or introduces zest, charm, or gusto
3. rare.
   a small amount
4. dialect.
   confectionery

verb

1. to prepare or flavour (food) with spices
2. to introduce charm or zest into

Derived Forms

• ˈspicer, noun

Other Words From

• spicea·ble adjective
• spiceless adjective
• spicelike adjective
• over·spice verb overspiced overspicing
• re·spice verb (used with object) respiced respicing
• un·spiced adjective
• well-spiced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spice¹

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English, aphetic form of Old French espice ( French épice ) from Latin speciēs “appearance, sort, kind” ( species ), in Late Latin (plural): “goods, wares, spices, drugs”; (verb) Middle English spicen, in part derivative of the noun, in part from Old French espicer, derivative of espice

Word History and Origins

Origin of spice¹

C13: from Old French espice, from Late Latin speciēs (pl) spices, from Latin speciēs (sing) kind; also associated with Late Latin spīcea (unattested) fragrant herb, from Latin spīceus having spikes of foliage; see spica

Idioms and Phrases

see variety is the spice of life .

Example Sentences

Regardless of the meat, the spices that perfume each version tend to stay relatively similar to one another.

From Popular-Science

The mala spice mix uses ingredients that would be hard to come by commercially in America, so even if a home chef wanted to make their own blend or use whole spices, they wouldn’t be able to match the flavor.

From Eater

He basically attributes it to home cooks realizing that if they wanted the varied flavors available to them at restaurants, they’d have to up their spice game.

From Eater

A cook who cared would use only the freshest whole spices, or at least mix their own blends for rubs or marinades.

From Eater

They are always a great, safe way to add some spice to your boating adventure.

From Popular-Science

You spice it with blues and skiffle music, and pickle it in alcohol and tobacco smoke.

From The Daily Beast

Spanish oak, which has an open grain and high levels of tannin, gives you dried fruit, spice, and even chocolate flavors.

From The Daily Beast

This fancy spice pack pairs with four different spirits—vodka, tequila, aquavit, and gin—to ensure the perfect morning pick-me-up.

From The Daily Beast

Turmeric is a household spice in South Asia and a common ingredient in many curries.

From The Daily Beast

A recent study by German scientists focused on a compound in the spice that may play a role in brain repair.

From The Daily Beast

Scotch wit is cutting, there is often a sarcastic thrust in it, sometimes even a little spice of malice.

From Project Gutenberg

It possessed just enough of the spice of danger, in this part of the run, to render it thoroughly enjoyable.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a spice of contempt in Chivey's tone which appeared rather to aggravate Señor Velasquez.

From Project Gutenberg

The spice-wood (laurus benzoin) and the pecan (carya olivformis) first occurred to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

Anywhere and everywhere, and for everything that happens or may happen, the poetic spice is rarely wanting.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• salt
• seasoning