from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lace \Lace\ (l[=a]s), n. [OE. las, OF. laz, F. lacs, dim. lacet,
fr. L. laqueus noose, snare; prob. akin to lacere to entice.
Cf. {Delight}, {Elicit}, {Lasso}, {Latchet}.]
1. That which binds or holds, especially by being interwoven;
a string, cord, or band, usually one passing through
eyelet or other holes, and used in drawing and holding
together parts of a garment, of a shoe, of a machine belt,
etc.
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His hat hung at his back down by a lace. --Chaucer.
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For striving more, the more in laces strong
Himself he tied. --Spenser.
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2. A snare or gin, especially one made of interwoven cords; a
net. [Obs.] --Fairfax.
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Vulcanus had caught thee [Venus] in his lace.
--Chaucer.
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3. A fabric of fine threads of linen, silk, cotton, etc.,
often ornamented with figures; a delicate tissue of
thread, much worn as an ornament of dress.
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Our English dames are much given to the wearing of
costly laces. --Bacon.
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4. Spirits added to coffee or some other beverage. [Old
Slang] --Addison.
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{Alen[,c]on lace}, a kind of point lace, entirely of
needlework, first made at Alen[,c]on in France, in the
17th century. It is very durable and of great beauty and
cost.
{Bone lace}, {Brussels lace}, etc. See under {Bone},
{Brussels}, etc.
{Gold lace}, or {Silver lace}, lace having warp threads of
silk, or silk and cotton, and a weft of silk threads
covered with gold (or silver), or with gilt.
{Lace leather}, thin, oil-tanned leather suitable for cutting
into lacings for machine belts.
{Lace lizard} (Zool.), a large, aquatic, Australian lizard
({Hydrosaurus giganteus}), allied to the monitors.
{Lace paper}, paper with an openwork design in imitation of
lace.
{Lace piece} (Shipbuilding), the main piece of timber which
supports the beak or head projecting beyond the stem of a
ship.
{Lace pillow}, and {Pillow lace}. See under {Pillow}.
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