n.
Pronunciation: ' l ā s
Function: verb
Inflected Form: laced ; lac · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French lacer, from Latin laqueare to ensnare, from laqueus
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to draw together the edges of by or as if by a lace passed through eyelets < lace s her fingers behind her head>
2 : to draw or pass (as a lace) through something (as eyelets)
3 : to confine or compress by tightening laces of a garment
4 a : to adorn with or as if with lace <the surrounding countryside was laced with villages and hamlets ― L. C. Heinemann> b : to mark with streaks of color
5 : BEAT , LASH
6 a : to add a dash of liquor to b : to add something to impart pungency, savor, or zest to <a sauce laced with garlic> <conversation laced with sarcasm> c : to adulterate with a substance < laced a guard's coffee with a sedative>
intransitive verb
1 : to admit of being tied or fastened with a lace
2 : to make a verbal attack ― usually used with into <his boss laced into him for being late>
– lac · er noun