Part 644

Abstain you from all evil spice.

Wyclif (1. Thess,v. 22).

Justice, although it be but one entire virtue, yet is described in two kinds of spices. The one is named justice distributive, the other is called commutative.

Sir T. Elyot.

2. A vegetable production of many kinds, fragrant or aromatic and pungent to the taste, as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, cloves, etc., which are used in cookery and to flavor sauces, pickles, etc.

Hast thou aught in thy purse any hot spices?

Piers Plowman.

3. Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or pungency; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity or admixture; a sprinkling; as, a spice of mischief.

So much of the will, with a spice of the willful.

Coleridge.

Spice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spiced (?); p. p. & vb. n. Spicing (?).] 1. To season with spice, or as with spice; to mix aromatic or pungent substances with; to flavor; to season; as, to spice wine; to spice one's words with wit.

She 'll receive thee, but will spice thy bread With flowery poisons.

Chapman.

2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices.

In the spiced Indian air, by night.

Shak.

3. To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. [Obs.] "A spiced conscience." Chaucer.

Spice"bush` (?), n. (Bot.) Spicewood.

Spice"nut` (?). A small crisp cake, highly spiced.

Spi"cer (?), n. [Cf. OF. espicier, F. épicier.] 1. One who seasons with spice.

2. One who deals in spice. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

Spi"cer*y (?), n. [OF. espicerie, F. épicerie.] 1. Spices, in general. Chaucer.

2. A repository of spices. Addison.

Spice"wood` (?), n. (Bot.) An American shrub (Lindera Benzoin), the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; -- called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever bush.

Spi*cif"er*ous (?), a. [L. spicifer bearing spikes, or ears; spica ear + ferre to bear.] Bearing ears, or spikes; spicate. [Obs.] Bailey.

Spi"ci*form (?), a. [L. spica a spike, ear + -form.] (Bot.) Spike-shaped. Gray.

Spi"ci*ly, adv. In a spicy manner.

Spi"ci*ness, n. The quality or state of being spicy.