Mace

/meɪs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A ceremonial staff or club, often used as a symbol of authority.

The mayor carried the mace during the inauguration ceremony as a symbol of his office.

A weapon consisting of a heavy head on a solid shaft used for bludgeoning.

In medieval times, knights often wielded a mace in battle to crush their foes.

A spice made from the outer covering of nutmeg seeds.

The recipe calls for a dash of mace to enhance the flavor of the dish.

verb

To attack with a mace; to strike with a heavy club.

The warrior was trained to mace his enemies effectively during combat.

Middle English, from Old French 'masse' meaning 'a hand-held weapon' or 'a heavy object'.

mace of authority

A ceremonial staff representing official power.

mace in hand

Signifying readiness to enforce authority or power.

bludgeon

A heavy weapon for clubbing.

scepter

A ceremonial staff held by a ruling monarch.

nutmeg

A spice from the seed of the nutmeg tree, from which mace is derived.

pepper spray

A self-defense spray containing capsaicin.

To spray someone with pepper spray.

I had to mace the attacker to get away.

To defeat or overpower someone decisively.

He really maced his competition in that debate.