to join together or unite (two ropes or parts of a rope) by the interweaving of strands.
to unite (timbers, spars, or the like) by overlapping and binding their ends.
to unite (film, magnetic tape, or the like) by butting and cementing.
to join or unite.
Genetics. to join (segments of DNA or RNA) together.
Informal. to unite in marriage: They'll be spliced in June.
noun
a joining of two ropes or parts of a rope by splicing.
the union or junction made by splicing.
a joining or junction of two pieces of timber, spar, etc., by overlapping and fastening the ends.
a joining of film, electromagnetic tape, or the like.
Idioms
splice the main brace, Nautical.
to issue a ration of spirits, as grog, to all hands.
to drink spirits.
Origin of splice
1515–25; < earlier Dutchsplissen (now splitsen)
Related formssplice·a·ble, adjectivere·splice, verb (used with object),re·spliced,re·splic·ing.un·der·splice, verb (used with object),un·der·spliced,un·der·splic·ing.un·spliced, adjective
1520s, originally a sailors' word, from Middle Dutch splissen "to splice," ultimately from PIE *(s)plei- "to split, splice" (see flint). The Dutch word was borrowed in French as épisser. Used of motion picture film from 1912; of DNA from 1975. Related: Spliced; splicing.
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. See also exonintron.
