mace

[ meys ]

/ meɪs /

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noun

a clublike armor-breaking weapon of war, often with a flanged or spiked metal head, used chiefly in the Middle Ages.

a ceremonial staff carried before or by certain officials as a symbol of office.

macebearer.

Billiards. a light stick with a flat head, formerly used at times instead of a cue.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of mace

1250–1300; Middle English <Old French (compare French masse) large mallet <Vulgar Latin *mattea; akin to Latin matteola kind of mallet; compare Sanskrit matya harrow

Words nearby mace

MacDiarmid, Macdonald, Macdonnell Ranges, Macdonough, MacDowell, mace, macebearer, Maced., macédoine, Macedon, Macedonia

Other definitions for mace (2 of 3)

mace²

[ meys ]

/ meɪs /

noun

a spice ground from the layer between a nutmeg shell and its outer husk, resembling nutmeg in flavor.

Origin of mace

1350–1400; Middle English, back formation from macis (taken as plural) <Middle French <Latin maccis a spice

Other definitions for mace (3 of 3)

Mace

[ meys ]

/ meɪs /

Trademark.

Also called Chemical Mace. a nonlethal spray containing purified tear gas and chemical solvents that temporarily incapacitate a person mainly by causing eye and skin irritations: used especially as a means of subduing rioters.

verb (used with object), Maced, Mac·ing.

(sometimes lowercase) to attack with Mace spray.

Origin of Mace

1965–70; probably from mace¹ (in the sense “clublike weapon”)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mace in a sentence

They also brought with them semiautomatic weapons, pistols, mace, rods, armor, shields, and torches.
The Charlottesville ‘Unite the Right’ trial begins today. Here’s what you need to know.|Ellie Silverman|October 25, 2021|Washington Post
It is smaller geographically, certainly, but that it actually has as many residents as so many congressional districts without a voting member of the chamber seems like an argument that runs contrary to what Mace intended.
It would be a lot easier if Republicans just said they didn’t want D.C. to have two senators|Philip Bump|April 21, 2021|Washington Post
Tam Nguyen, president of Advance Beauty College, started 34 years ago by his parents, said he plans to also offer workshops on de-escalation, safe confrontation and the use of Mace.
Asian American businesses are defending themselves against rise in anti-Asian violence|Tracy Jan|March 25, 2021|Washington Post
People who had never considered needing protection now carry mace and bear repellent.
The riot is over, but fear remains in the nation’s capital|Theresa Vargas|January 13, 2021|Washington Post

Mace is only be the second woman, Republican or Democrat, elected to serve a full congressional term in the state.
These are the historic ‘firsts’ from the 2020 election you may have missed|ehinchliffe|November 5, 2020|Fortune
Some later claimed that a cop shook a can of mace, an uncalled for act of aggravation, one man said.
Ferguson Protesters Harass Black Police, Call for Darren Wilson’s Death|Justin Glawe|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jaime was taught to fight with sword and lance and mace, and I was taught to smile and sing and please.
The Abused Wives of Westeros: A Song of Feminism in ‘Game of Thrones’|Amy Zimmerman|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1988, producer Mace Neufeld approached Costner about The Hunt for Red October.
Are We in the Midst of a Kevin Costner Comeback?|Andrew Romano|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So Rey and Maupin sprayed the guards with their own Mace-type aerosol and took off running in a panic.
The Mad Shooter of Paris Is a ‘Natural Born Killer’|Christopher Dickey|November 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Larson told Bundermann that they needed cover fire before they could make a run for it and try to bring Mace to the Aid Station.
Ty Carter Awarded Medal of Honor|David Eisler, Jake Tapper|August 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And whilst I was stretched out that-a-way, Mace come clost and give me her hand.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates
When she went to go into her stable, Mace slowed her down till the street cars was gone by.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates
The legend that may still be read upon the Corporation mace, of Elizabethan date, is earnest of this old-time amity.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
The Whigs were reminded that those same soldiers had taken the mace from the table of the House of Commons.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Other votes were carried without a single division either in the Committee or when the mace was on the table.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for mace (1 of 3)

mace¹

/ (meɪs) /

noun

a club, usually having a spiked metal head, used esp in the Middle Ages

a ceremonial staff of office carried by certain officials

See macebearer

an early form of billiard cue

Word Origin for mace

C13: from Old French, probably from Vulgar Latin mattea (unattested); apparently related to Latin mateola mallet

British Dictionary definitions for mace (2 of 3)

mace²

/ (meɪs) /

noun

a spice made from the dried aril round the nutmeg seed

Word Origin for mace

C14: formed as a singular from Old French macis (wrongly assumed to be plural), from Latin macir an oriental spice

British Dictionary definitions for mace (3 of 3)

Mace

/ (meɪs) US /

noun

trademark a liquid causing tears and nausea, used as a spray for riot control, etc

verb

(tr; sometimes not capital) to use Mace on

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

mace

Origin of mace

Words nearby mace

Other definitions for mace (2 of 3)

Origin of mace

Other definitions for mace (3 of 3)

Origin of Mace

Words related to mace

How to use mace in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mace (1 of 3)

Word Origin for mace

British Dictionary definitions for mace (2 of 3)

Word Origin for mace

British Dictionary definitions for mace (3 of 3)