mace

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a heavy club, sometimes fitted with a spiked metal head, formerly used as a weapon

   The guard carried a mace capable of crushing armor.

2. 2
   noun

   an ornamental staff carried as a symbol of public office or authority

   The parliamentary mace was placed on the table before the sitting began.

3. 3
   noun

   an aromatic spice made from the dried outer covering of the nutmeg seed

   The cook added a pinch of mace to the cream sauce.

4. 4
   noun

   a chemical spray used to temporarily disable a person by irritating the eyes and breathing passages

   The security officer carried mace for use in an emergency.

The weapon and ceremonial staff come through Old French mace from Vulgar Latin *mattia, related to Latin mateola, 'mallet.' The spice comes separately through Old French macis from Medieval Latin macis. The disabling spray was originally the trademark Mace.

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