mace Hear it!

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

Etymology: < mace

noun

such a compound, or a container of it

transitive verb Maced, Mac′·ing

to spray with Mace

mace Synonyms

mace

n.

  1. A weapon or symbol of authority

    staff, baton, scepter, verge; see club 3, stick.

  2. A compound

    Chemical Mace (trademark), fear gas, nerve gas; see gas 3, weapon 1.

mace Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • carry: He is the warrior deity carrying the hundred knotted mace from whom all demons flee in fear.
  • hold: Odo was present at the Battle of Hastings and is shown on the tapestry holding a mace and rallying troops.
  • include: All Mayors will have a chain of office, but some will have other insignia including a mace or robes of office.
  • bear: The Esquire Bedell bears the mace in the Queenâs academic procession.
  • use: If using blade mace, there is no need to grate it: just crush between your fingers and sprinkle it in.
  • wield: He sank onto a couch, then looked up to see the battle crazed glare of an Iranian soldier wielding a heavy mace.

Adjective modifier

  • ceremonial: The city's ceremonial mace, now on display in the Guildhall Museum, dates from that year.
  • great: The marsh is dominated by soft rush and there are small stands of great reed mace.
  • medieval: In silhouette, the ensemble is akin to a huge medieval mace.
  • new: This ceremony is also special because it marks the first public outing for a new mace.
  • spiked: There are less noble weapons that you can wield, such as an executioner's ax or spiked maces.
  • silver: Two silver maces dating back to 1680 are still used at every Boro Council meeting.

Modifies a noun

  • bearer: The Mayoral party, led in by the mace bearer, was a spectacular sight as they took their places on the dais.
  • head: Their purpose is unclear but finds of human bones and stone mace heads suggest ritual offerings.

Noun used with modifier

  • reed: We also came across a patch of reed mace going to seed.
  • silver: At the same time he also gave the City its magnificent silver gilt mace.
  • ground: Crush the mace blades ( or ground mace ) and add them to the pan.
  • city: However during the talks the Lord Mayor of London attacked Wat Tyler with the city mace.
  • blade: If using blade mace, there is no need to grate it: just crush between your fingers and sprinkle it in.
  • iron: Then I turned to where Weena lay beside my iron mace.