lace Hear it!

lace definition

lace (lās)

noun

  1. a string, ribbon, etc. used to draw together and fasten the parts of a shoe, corset, etc. by being drawn through eyelets or over hooks
  2. an ornamental braid of gold or silver, for trimming uniforms, hats, etc.
  3. a fine netting or openwork fabric of cotton, polyester, etc., woven in ornamental designs

Etymology: ME las < OFr las, laz < L laqueus, a noose, snare, trap < IE base *lēk- > OE læla, a whip

transitive verb laced, lacing lac′·ing

  1. to draw the ends of (a garment, shoe, etc.) together and fasten with a lace
  2. to compress the waist of by lacing a corset, etc.: often with up
  3. to pass (a cord, etc.) in and out through eyelets, fabric, etc.
  4. to weave together; intertwine
  5. to ornament with or as with lace
    1. to streak, as with color
    2. to diversify, as with a contrasting element
    1. to thrash; whip
    2. to hit hard the batter laced the ball into center field
  6. to add a dash of alcoholic liquor to (a beverage)

Etymology: ME lacen, lasen < OFr lacier < L laqueare, to ensnare, entangle < the n.

intransitive verb

  1. to be fastened with a lace these shoes lace
  2. Informal to attack physically or verbally: with into

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

lace Synonyms

lace

n.

  1. Ornamental threadwork

    edging, trimming, banding, border, tatting, needlework, insertion, ornament, mesh, tissue, net; see also decoration 2.

    Types of lace include: needle-point, Valenciennes, tulle, bobbin, pillow, Venetian, flat, Venetian point, Alençon, Alostlace, bone, cutwork, merletti a piombini (Italian), reticella, point d'esprit, torchon, macramé, blond, d'Angleterre, Mechlin, Brussels, point de Gaze, Duchesse, point appliqué, Bruges, Binche, filet, plat appliqué, English, Irish crochet, Limerick, Carrickmacross, passementerie, guipure.

  2. Material for binding through openings

    thong, cord, band, shoelace; see rope, thread.


lace

v.

strap, bind, close; see fasten 1, tie 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

lace Usage Examples

Object

  • bead: With Itty Bitty Beading Bugs, children can lace soft beads and plastic spacers in a multitude of combinations.

Converse of object

  • ruffle: Arms and neckline are trimmed with decadent baby blue and white ruffled lace and a cream ribbon bow.

Adjective modifier

  • floral: The cups of the chemise are made of stretch floral lace.

Modifies a noun

  • tablecloth: Floor length red table covers under a smaller white lace tablecloth.

Noun used with modifier

  • bobbin: Lacemaking For 300 years Olney was at the heart of bobbin lace making industry in the area.
lace usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

lace quotes

And the softness of my body will be guarded by embrace By each button, hook, and lace. For the man who should loose me is dead, Fighting with the Duke in Flanders, In a pattern called a war. Christ! What are patterns for?

-Lowell, Amy

lace quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"lace." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/lace>

APA Style

lace. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/lace

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment