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

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

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

For 87 years, this Texas smokehouse has offered one thing: whole hickory-smoked turkeys with a spice rub passed down from the owners’ Polish family.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Almost always, though, a good Chenin Blanc offers refreshingly bright acidity and aromas of pear, green apple and spice ideal for this often-weighty meal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On the company’s marketed Red Cup Day, customers who order a holiday-themed beverage, such as the popular pumpkin spice latte, receive a free limited-edition reusable red cup.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rare earths comprise more than a dozen elements that UBS calls the “spice” of industry.

Read more on Barron's

Some call them a "traffic light system"; critics have likened them to Nando's spice cards.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• salt 
• seasoning