mace

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈmās

Synonyms of mace next

: an aromatic spice consisting of the dried external fibrous covering of a nutmeg

mace

2 of 4

noun (2)

: a heavy often spiked staff or club used especially in the Middle Ages for breaking armor

: a club used as a weapon

: an ornamental staff borne as a symbol of authority before a public official (such as a magistrate) or a legislative body

: one who carries a mace

mace

3 of 4

verb

maced; macing

transitive verb

: to attack with the liquid Mace

Mace

4 of 4

trademark

ˈmās

—used for a temporarily disabling liquid usually used as a spray

Examples of mace in a Sentence

Verb She maced the man who attacked her.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Unlike the others, which veer on flamboyance, this pin is nonchalant — an orange shield with a golden sword and mace behind it, topped by a 20-sided die, the kind prevalent in tabletop games such as Pathfinder and Dungeons & Dragons. —

John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Aug. 2024 Weapons of any kind (no knives or mace/pepper spray of any size). —

Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 28 July 2024 The ceremonial mace was also stolen from Kenya’s parliament as protesters stormed the assembly during anti-tax protests which turned violent. —

Larry Madowo, CNN, 25 June 2024 Barry’s Anthony Corrigan will play true weirdo Metamorpho, Isabela Merced will take up Hawkgirl’s mace, and Edi Gathegi will play Mister Terrific. —

Zoe Guy, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mace

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mace.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Old French mascie, macis, from Medieval Latin macis

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *mattia; akin to Latin mateola mallet

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of mace was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mace. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.

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Kids Definition

mace

1 of 2 noun

ˈmās

: a heavy spiked club used as a weapon in the Middle Ages

: an ornamental staff carried as a symbol of authority

mace

2 of 2 noun

: a spice made from the dried outer covering of the nutmeg

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mace "a heavy spiked club," from early French mace (same meaning); probably of Latin origin

Noun

Middle English mace "the spice mace," from early French mascie, macis (same meaning), from Latin macis "an East Indian spice"

Medical Definition

Mace

trademark

ˈmās

—used for a temporarily disabling liquid that when sprayed in the face of a person causes tears, dizziness, immobilization, and sometimes nausea

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mace

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

trademark

Examples of mace in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near mace

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition