Main Entry:

¹lace

Pronunciation:

\ˈlās\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

laced; lac·ing

Etymology:

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

Date:

13th century

transitive verb1: 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 garment4 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 color5: beat, lash6 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 verb1: to admit of being tied or fastened with a lace2: to make a verbal attack —usually used with into<his boss laced into him for being late>

— lac·er noun