v. & n.
--v. (past and past part. spoilt or spoiled)
1. tr. a damage; diminish the value of (was spoilt by the rain; will spoil all the fun). b reduce a person's enjoyment etc. of (the news spoiled his dinner).
2 tr. injure the character of (esp. a child, pet, etc.) by excessive indulgence.
3 intr. a (of food) go bad, decay; become unfit for eating. b (usu. in neg.) (of a joke, secret, etc.) become stale through long keeping.
4 tr. render (a ballot paper) invalid by improper marking.
5 tr. (foll. by of) archaic or literary plunder or deprive (a person of a thing) by force or stealth (spoiled him of all his possessions).
--n.
1. (usu. in pl.) a plunder taken from an enemy in war, or seized by force. b esp. joc. profit or advantages gained by succeeding to public office, high position, etc.
2 earth etc. thrown up in excavating, dredging, etc.
Phrases and idioms:
be spoiling for aggressively seek (a fight etc.). spoils system US the practice of giving public office to the adherents of a successful party. spoilt for choice having so many choices that it is difficult to choose.
Etymology: ME f. OF espoillier, espoille f. L spoliare f. spolium spoil, plunder, or f. DESPOIL