Word of the Day: Spice

spice

spice / spīs

noun

1. any of a number of aromatic plant substances used to add flavor

You can make just about any foods taste wonderful by adding herbs and spices.

Jorge Cruise, 1971 –

2. collectively, the aromatic plant substances used for flavoring

If you cooked without spice or seasoning, you’d come up with something you could eat, but it wouldn’t satisfy.

From “Dance Upon the Air” by Nora Roberts, 1950 –

3. a pungent or spicy smell

In 2012 the city began receiving complaints about the spice in the air.

Nate Berg, “The Spice Must Flow”, ‘The Magazine’, www.the-magazine.org/53/the-spice-must-flow/index.html, October 9, 2014

4. something that adds interest, zest or excitement

The spice of life is to befriend.

William Arthur Ward, 1921 – 1994

5. (archaic) a very small amount

There has never been any great genius without a spice of madness.

Seneca the Younger, 4 BC – 65 AD

verb

1. to season with aromatic plant substances

Spice a dish with love and it pleases every palate.

Plautus, 254 – 184

2. to add interest, zest or excitement to

I just think you need to spice up life every now and then with a bit of adventure and excitement.

Richard Branson, 1950 –