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.
Aromatic or pungent plant matter (usually dried) used to season or flavor food.
Vanilla itself was transplanted from Madagascar, the main source of the spice, to Polynesia a century ago.1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 242:
2
The quality of being spicy.
What spice level do you want for your pad thai? I recommend mild.
3
Figuratively Appeal, interest; an attribute that makes something appealing, interesting, or engaging.
variety is the spice of life
Honor, a^([sic]) 18-year-old high school student who thinks she has it more together than her fellow students and who looks to both Leslie and Bernie to provide friendship and spice in her life.1979 April 28, Allen Young, “The Joy of Gay Lit”, in Gay Community News: The Gay Weekly, volume 6, number 39, Boston, Mass., →ISSN, page 13, column 3:
"I'm not going to promise anything after the perfectly fetid way you're running off," she retorted. "Still, it's pretty obvious that I shall stay here and do what I can for poor Geoffrey in the circumstances." It occurred to the hearer […] that there was a spice of "It is my duty and I will" in this praiseworthy resolve which fell short of the ecstatic resolution of the Saturday Nora.1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
8
An aromatic odor.
9
Internet Erotic or pornographic material, usually in written form; smut.
10
Computing, Cryptography, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences An additional input parameter used as a secondary, non-secret key in the Hasty Pudding cipher.
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.
1
To add spice or spices to; season.
Madame de Pompadour was fond of chocolates spiced with vanilla and amber.1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 242:
2
To spice up.
City Men is pretty much the same kind of sentimental comedy spiced with wisecracks as The Women, a disappointingly familiar genre.1985 February 2, Nicholas Deutsch, “City Men (review)”, in Gay Community News, volume 12, number 28, page 19: