GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions

  1.       
    Lace (lās), n. [OE. las, OF. laz, F. lacs, dim. lacet, fr. L. laqueus noose, snare; prob. akin to lacere to entice.  Cf. Delight, Elicit, Lasso, Latchet.]
    1. That which binds or holds, especially by being interwoven; a string, cord, or band, usually one passing through eyelet or other holes, and used in drawing and holding together parts of a garment, of a shoe, of a machine belt, etc.

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    His hat hung at his back down by a lace. Chaucer.

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    For striving more, the more in laces strong

    Himself he tied. Spenser.

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    2. A snare or gin, especially one made of interwoven cords; a net. [Obs.] Fairfax.

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    Vulcanus had caught thee [Venus] in his lace. Chaucer.

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    3. A fabric of fine threads of linen, silk, cotton, etc., often ornamented with figures; a delicate tissue of thread, much worn as an ornament of dress.

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    Our English dames are much given to the wearing of costly laces. Bacon.

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    4. Spirits added to coffee or some other beverage. [Old Slang] Addison.

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    Alençon lace, a kind of point lace, entirely of needlework, first made at Alençon in France, in the 17th century. It is very durable and of great beauty and cost. -- Bone lace, Brussels lace, etc. See under Bone, Brussels, etc. -- Gold lace, or Silver lace, lace having warp threads of silk, or silk and cotton, and a weft of silk threads covered with gold (or silver), or with gilt. -- Lace leather, thin, oil-tanned leather suitable for cutting into lacings for machine belts. -- Lace lizard (Zool.), a large, aquatic, Australian lizard (Hydrosaurus giganteus), allied to the monitors. -- Lace paper, paper with an openwork design in imitation of lace. -- Lace piece (Shipbuilding), the main piece of timber which supports the beak or head projecting beyond the stem of a ship. -- Lace pillow, and Pillow lace. See under Pillow.

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  2.       
    Lace, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Laced (āst); p. pr. & vb. n. Lacing (?).]
    1. To fasten with a lace; to draw together with a lace passed through eyelet holes; to unite with a lace or laces, or, figuratively. with anything resembling laces. Shak.

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    When Jenny's stays are newly laced. Prior.

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    2. To adorn with narrow strips or braids of some decorative material; as, “cloth laced with silver”. Shak.

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    3. To beat; to lash; to make stripes on. [Colloq.]

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    I'll lace your coat for ye. L'Estrange.

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    4. To add something to (a food or beverage) so as to impart flavor, pungency, or some special quality; as, “to lace a punch with alcohol; to lace the Kool-Aid with LSD”. [Old Slang]

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    5. To twine or draw as a lace; to interlace; to intertwine.

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    The Gond . . . picked up a trail of the Karela, the vine that bears the bitter wild gourd, and laced it to and fro across the temple door. Kipling.

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  3.       
    Lace, v. i. To be fastened with a lace, or laces; as, “these boots lace”.

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