lace

¹lace

verb \ˈlās\

lacedlac·ing

Definition of LACE

transitive verb

1

: to draw together the edges of by or as if by a lace passed through eyelets <laces her fingers behind her head>

2

: to draw or pass (as a lace) through something (as eyelets)

3

: to confine or compress by tightening laces of a garment

4

a : to adorn with or as if with lace <the surrounding countryside was laced with villages and hamlets — L. C. Heinemann> b : to mark with streaks of color

5

: beat, lash

6

a : to add a dash of liquor to b : to add something to impart pungency, savor, or zest to <a sauce laced with garlic> <conversation laced with sarcasm> c : to adulterate with a substance <laced a guard's coffee with a sedative>

intransitive verb

1

: to admit of being tied or fastened with a lace

2

: to make a verbal attack —usually used with into <his boss laced into him for being late>

— lac·er noun

Examples of LACE

1. a dress that laces in the back
2. <the gardener laced the shoots of ivy around the trellis to direct their growth>

Origin of LACE

Middle English, from Anglo-French lacer, from Latin laqueare to ensnare, from laqueus

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to LACE

Synonyms: enlace, entwine, implicate [archaic], interlace, intertwist, interweave, inweave, intertwine, ply, twist, weave, wreathe, writhe

Antonyms: enrich, fortify, richen, strengthen

Related Words: braid, plait, plat, pleach; blend, fuse, join, link, mix

Near Antonyms: disentangle, uncoil, untangle, untwine, unwind

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with LACE

ace, base, bass, brace, case, chase, dace, face, grace, mace, Mace, Naas, pace, place, plaice, prase, race, res, space, Thrace, trace, vase, Wace