GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

  1.       
    
    Lace , 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.
      1913 Webster

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

      1913 Webster

      For striving more, the more in laces strong
      Himself he tied.
      Spenser.

      1913 Webster

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

      1913 Webster

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

      1913 Webster

    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.
      1913 Webster

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

      1913 Webster

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

      1913 Webster

      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.

      1913 Webster

  2.       
    
    Lace, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Laced ; 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.

      1913 Webster

      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.

      1913 Webster
    3. To beat; to lash; to make stripes on. [Colloq.]
      1913 Webster

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

      1913 Webster

    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]
      1913 Webster
      +PJC
    5. To twine or draw as a lace; to interlace; to intertwine.
      Webster 1913 Suppl.

      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.

      Webster 1913 Suppl.

  3.       
    
    Lace, v. i. To be fastened with a lace, or laces; as, these boots lace.
    1913 Webster