splice

[splahys]

verb (used with object)

spliced, splicing 

1. to join together or unite (two ropes or parts of a rope) by the interweaving of strands.

2. to unite (timbers, spars, or the like) by overlapping and binding their ends.

3. to unite (film, magnetic tape, or the like) by butting and cementing.

4. to join or unite.

5. Genetics.,  to join (segments of DNA or RNA) together.

6. Informal.,  to unite in marriage.

   They'll be spliced in June.

noun

1. a joining of two ropes or parts of a rope by splicing.

2. the union or junction made by splicing.

3. a joining or junction of two pieces of timber, spar, etc., by overlapping and fastening the ends.

4. a joining of film, electromagnetic tape, or the like.

splice

/ splaɪs /

verb

1. to join (two ropes) by intertwining the strands

2. to join up the trimmed ends of (two pieces of wire, film, magnetic tape, etc) with solder or an adhesive material

3. to join (timbers) by overlapping and binding or bolting the ends together

4. informal,  (passive) to enter into marriage

   the couple got spliced last Saturday

5. nautical history to issue and partake of an extra allocation of alcoholic spirits

noun

1. a join made by splicing

2. the place where such a join occurs

3. the wedge-shaped end of a cricket-bat handle or similar instrument that fits into the blade

splice

1. To join together genes or gene fragments or insert them into a cell or other structure, such as a virus, by means of enzymes. In genetic engineering, scientists splice together genetic material to produce new genes or to alter a genetic structure. In messenger RNA, the introns are removed, and exons are spliced together to yield the final messenger RNA that is translated.

2. See also exon intron

Other Word Forms

• spliceable adjective
• resplice verb (used with object)
• undersplice verb (used with object)
• unspliced adjective
• splicer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of splice¹

1515–25; < earlier Dutch splissen (now splitsen )

Word History and Origins

Origin of splice¹

C16: probably from Middle Dutch splissen; related to German spleissen, Swedish splitsa; see _split

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. splice the main brace,

   1. to issue a ration of spirits, as grog, to all hands.

   2. to drink spirits.

Example Sentences

A video that ended up with a very obviously spliced piece of audio as a punchline went over so well Jost had to stop to collect himself from laughing so hard.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The corporation has apologised to the US President for a Panorama episode that spliced parts of his 6 January 2021 speech together, but rejected his demands for compensation.

Read more on BBC

He said the error did not amount to "innocent splicing".

Read more on BBC

The aired footage spliced together two parts of the president’s remarks on Jan. 6, 2021, before the Capitol riot.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Another early highlight, Reliquia, chops and splices a chamber quartet into unrecognisable electronic patterns, as Rosalía reconciles herself to the idea that she loves too hard, and locates the beauty in that vulnerability.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• graft