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

The waffles’ autumnal rendition incorporates pumpkin purée and seasonal spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg to create a warming sweet treat that embodies fall joy.

From Salon

The service also provides "cooking parcels", which include herbs and spices, as well as a toiletries hamper too.

From BBC

What I was really craving, I realized, was the dusky, spiced intensity of another fall icon: apple butter.

From Salon

The smell of herbs and spices wafting through the corridors seems to suggest they are not the only ones who feel this way.

From BBC

In Mumbai's iconic Crawford Market, the city's biggest wholesale and retail hub where everything from spices to sequins are sold, few shopkeepers were aware of changes to GST slabs.

From BBC

Related Words

• salt 
• seasoning