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
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

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook