spice

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative
  2. noun any of a variety of pungent aromatic vegetable substances used for flavoring food
  3. noun the property of being seasoned with spice and so highly flavored

Etymology

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

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