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

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

²lace

noun

Definition of LACE

1

: a cord or string used for drawing together two edges (as of a garment or a shoe)

2

: an ornamental braid for trimming coats or uniforms

3

: an openwork usually figured fabric made of thread or yarn and used for trimmings, household coverings, and entire garments

— laced \ˈlāst\ adjective

— lace·less \ˈlās-ləs\ adjective

— lace·like \ˈlās-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of LACE

1. I need new laces for these shoes.
2. She wore lace on her wedding gown.

Origin of LACE

Middle English, from Anglo-French lace, laz, from Latin laqueus snare

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LACE

Synonyms

cable, cord, lacing, line, rope, string, wire

Related Words

guy, halyard, lanyard, stay; bungee cord, whipcord

lace

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Ornamental openwork fabric formed by the looping, interlacing, braiding, or twisting of threads, originally primarily of linen. Almost all high-quality artistic lace is made by one of two techniques: needle lace involves a difficult technique that originated in Italy; bobbin lace is a more widespread craft that originated in Flanders. The art of lace is a European achievement. Fully developed lace did not appear before the Renaissance. By 1600 lace had become a fabric of luxury and an important article of commerce. The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century led to the use of machines to produce less-expensive lace made of cotton, and lace gradually disappeared from both men's and women's fashions. By 1920 the industry was dying. Fine handmade lace is still made in Belgium, Slovenia, and elsewhere, but chiefly as souvenirs.