Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lace?

\Lace\ (l[=a]s), 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. His hat hung at his back down by a lace. --Chaucer. For striving more, the more in laces strong Himself he tied. --Spenser. 2. A snare or gin, especially one made of interwoven cords; a net. [Obs.] --Fairfax. Vulcanus had caught thee [Venus] in his lace. --Chaucer. 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. Our English dames are much given to the wearing of costlylaces. --Bacon. 4. Spirits added to coffee or some other beverage. [Old Slang] --Addison. {Alencon lace}, a kind of point lace, entirely of needlework, first made at Alencon 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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}, & {Pillow lace}. See under {Pillow}.
\Lace\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Laced} ([=a]st); 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. When Jenny's stays are newly laced. --Prior. 2. To adorn with narrow strips or braids of some decorative material; as, cloth laced with silver. --Shak. 3. To beat; to lash; to make stripes on. [Colloq.] I'll lace your coat for ye. --L'Estrange. 4. To add spirits to (a beverage). [Old Slang]
\Lace\, v. i. To be fastened with a lace, or laces; as, these boots lace.
\Lace\, v. t. To twine or draw as a lace; to interlace; to intertwine. 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 temble door. --Kipling.