from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Spoil \Spoil\ (spoil), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spoiled} (spoild) or
{Spoilt} (spoilt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Spoiling}.] [F. spolier,
OF. espoillier, fr. L. spoliare, fr. spolium spoil. Cf.
{Despoil}, {Spoliation}.]
1. To plunder; to strip by violence; to pillage; to rob; --
with of before the name of the thing taken; as, to spoil
one of his goods or possessions. "Ye shall spoil the
Egyptians." --Ex. iii. 22.
[1913 Webster]
My sons their old, unhappy sire despise,
Spoiled of his kingdom, and deprived of eyes.
--Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. To seize by violence; to take by force; to plunder.
[1913 Webster]
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and
spoil his goods, except he will first bind the
strong man. --Mark iii.
27.
[1913 Webster]
3. To cause to decay and perish; to corrupt; to vitiate; to
mar.
[1913 Webster]
Spiritual pride spoils many graces. --Jer. Taylor.
[1913 Webster]
4. To render useless by injury; to injure fatally; to ruin;
to destroy; as, to spoil paper; to have the crops spoiled
by insects; to spoil the eyes by reading.
[1913 Webster]