— spiceable , adj. — spiceless , adj. — spicelike , adj.
/spuys/ , n. , v. , spiced, spicing .
n.
1. any of a class of pungent or aromatic substances of vegetable origin, as pepper, cinnamon, or cloves, used as seasoning, preservatives, etc.
2. such substances collectively or as material: Cookies without spice can be tasteless.
3. a spicy or aromatic odor or fragrance.
4. something that gives zest: a spice of humor in his solemnity.
5. a piquant, interesting element or quality; zest; piquancy: The anecdotes lent spice to her talk.
6. Archaic. a small quantity of something; trace; bit.
v.t.
7. to prepare or season with a spice or spices.
8. to give zest, piquancy, or interest to by something added.
[ 1175-1225; (n.) ME, aph. form of OF espice (F épice ) species appearance, sort, kind (see SPECIES), in LL (pl.): goods, wares, spices, drugs; (v.) ME spicen, in part deriv. of the n., in part espicer, deriv. of espice ]
Syn. 5. tang, gusto, zip.