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, spicing 

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

Other Word Forms

• spicer noun
• spiceable adjective
• spiceless adjective
• spicelike adjective
• overspice verb
• respice verb (used with object)
• unspiced 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

Playing with smoke, spices and charcoal to create dishes that marry mid-Atlantic bounty with a Middle Eastern palate.

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Fragrances that smell like food have been popular for years, but they used to come in flavors like vanilla or pumpkin spice.

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Other shows have ventured into science fiction to spice up their story lines.

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“The spice level on this album is high,” Swift said, as Fallon confirmed, “It’s the spiciest yet.”

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It features apples in three forms: a tender, applesauce-sweetened cake; diced, spiced roasted apples; and a tangy, fragrant apple butter–cream cheese frosting.

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Related Words

• salt 
• seasoning