n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: spoiled \ ' spo ̇ i(- ə )ld, ' spo ̇ i(- ə )lt \ also spoilt \ ' spo ̇ i(- ə )lt \ ; spoil · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from espuiller, espoiller, from Latin spoliare to strip of natural covering, despoil, from spolium skin, hide ― more at SPILL
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a archaic : DESPOIL , STRIP b : PILLAGE , ROB
2 archaic : to seize by force
3 a : to damage seriously : RUIN b : to impair the quality or effect of <a quarrel spoil ed the celebration>
4 a : to impair the disposition or character of by overindulgence or excessive praise b : to pamper excessively : CODDLE
intransitive verb
1 : to practice plunder and robbery
2 : to lose valuable or useful qualities usually as a result of decay <the fruit spoil ed >
3 : to have an eager desire < spoil ing for a fight>
synonyms see DECAY , INDULGE
– spoil · able \ ' spo ̇ i-l ə -b ə l \ adjective