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mace1 definition

mace (mās)

noun

    1. a heavy medieval war club, often with a spiked, metal head
    2. any similar weapon
    1. a staff used as a symbol of authority by certain officials
    2. macebearer

Etymology: ME < OFr masse < VL *mattea, a club < L *matea < IE base *mat-, a hoe, club > mattock

mace2 definition

mace (mās)

noun

a spice, usually ground, made from the dried outer covering of the nutmeg

Etymology: ME, assumed as sing. of macis, mace < OFr < ML, prob. scribal error for L macir < Gr makir, a fragrant resin from India

Mace definition

Mace (mās)

a chemical compound, prepared for use in aerosol containers, that has the combined effect of a tear gas and a nerve gas, temporarily stunning its victims
in full Chemical Mace

Etymology: < mace

noun

such a compound, or a container of it

transitive verb Maced, Macing Mac′·ing

to spray with Mace

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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