- 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
- an ornamental braid of gold or silver, for trimming uniforms, hats, etc.
- a fine netting or openwork fabric of cotton, polyester, etc., woven in ornamental designs
Origin of lace
Middle English las from Old French las, laz from Classical Latin laqueus, a noose, snare, trap from Indo-European base an unverified form l?k- from source Old English læla, a whiptransitive verb
laced, lac′ing- to draw the ends of (a garment, shoe, etc.) together and fasten with a lace: often with up
- to compress the waist of by lacing a corset, etc.: often with up
- to pass (a cord, etc.) in and out through eyelets, fabric, etc.
- to weave together; intertwine
- to ornament with or as with lace
- to streak, as with color
- to diversify, as with a contrasting element
- to thrash; whip
- to hit hard: the batter laced the ball into center field
- to add a dash of alcoholic liquor to (a beverage)
- to add a small amount of a substance to (something to be ingested), as to render it flavorful, potent, toxic, etc.: brownies laced with marijuana
Origin of lace
ME lacen, lasen < OFr lacier < L laqueare, to ensnare, entangle < the n.- to be fastened with a lace: shoes that lace easily
- Informal to attack physically or verbally: with into
