noun
- any of several vegetable substances, as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or pepper, used to season food; spices are usually dried for use and have distinctive flavors and aromas
- such substances collectively or as a material
- a spicy fragrance or aroma
- that which adds zest, piquancy, or interest
- Archaic a small bit; trace
Origin:
ME < OFr espice < L species (see species): in LL, wares, assorted goods, esp. spices and drugs
transitive verb spiced, spicing
- to season or flavor with spice
- to add zest, piquancy, or interest to