spice

Etymology 1

From Middle English spice, from Old French espice (modern épice), an old borrowing from Late Latin speciēs (“spice(s), good(s), ware(s)”), from Latin speciēs (“kind, sort”). Doublet of species.

noun

1. (countable, uncountable) Aromatic or pungent plant matter (usually dried) used to season or flavour food.
2. (uncountable) The quality of being spicy.
   What spice level do you want for your pad thai? I recommend mild.
3. (figurative, uncountable) Appeal, interest; an attribute that makes something appealing, interesting, or engaging.
   variety is the spice of life
4. (uncountable) A synthetic cannabinoid drug.
5. (uncountable, Yorkshire) Sweets, candy.
6. (obsolete) Species; kind.
7. A characteristic touch or taste; smack; flavour.
8. An aromatic odour.

verb

1. (transitive) To add spice or spices to; season.
2. (transitive) To spice up.

Etymology 2

Formed by analogy with lice and mice as the plurals of louse and mouse. First attested use Christopher Morley in “Morley's Magnum” (1935). Made popular by Robert A. Heinlein in Time Enough for Love (1973).

noun

1. (nonce word, usually humorous) plural of spouse