From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmacemace /meɪs/ noun 1 [uncountable]DF a spice made from the dried shell of a nutmeg2 [countable]PMW a heavy ball with sharp points on a short metal stick, used in the past as a weapon3 [countable]PGOTRADITION a decorated stick that is carried by an official in some ceremonies as a sign of power → sceptre
Examples from the Corpus
mace• Fresh Thuringer is similarly composed but is seasoned with caraway, celery seed, coriander, ginger, and mace.• His field kits have been known to contain chemical mace and an electric stun gun.• I combine mace with bay, especially for seasoning pork or oily fish, such as herrings.• The commonly used spices include pepper, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, mustard, coriander, sage, and garlic.• Season both with salt, freshly milled pepper, mace or nutmeg, cayenne, lemon juice.• Sprinkle mace, cinnamon, dash salt, citron, orange peel, apricots, dates and sugar over yams.• Then the rest were amongst them, slashing with short-sword, mace and club.• The injury was caused by fighting with maces whilst not wearing a gauntlet.MaceMace noun [uncountable] trademark a chemical which makes your eyes and skin sting painfully. Police officers sometimes carry Mace in cans to defend themselves.Examples from the Corpus
Mace• Another was knocked down and, while half conscious and thoroughly subdued, was sprayed in the face with Mace.• Best filed a complaint saying the officers sprayed him with Mace, urinated near his car and flattened his tires.Origin mace 1. (1200-1300) French macis, from Latin macir, from Greek2. (1200-1300) Old French Vulgar Latin mattia 