\Spice\, n. [OE. spice, spece, spice, species, OF. espice,
espece, F. ['e]pice spice, esp[`e]ce species, fr. L. species
particular sort or kind, a species, a sight, appearance,
show, LL., spices, drugs, etc., of the same sort, fr. L.
specere to look. See {Spy}, and cf. {Species}.]
1. Species; kind. [Obs.]
         The spices of penance ben three.      --Chaucer.
         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 [bag] 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.