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. 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.
[ ME f. OF espoillier, espoille f. L spoliare f. spolium spoil, plunder, or f. DESPOIL ]