Spīce1, n.
n. [O. Fr. espisce, espece, espece, N. Fr. épice, Pr. especia, especi, Sp. & Pg. especia, It. spezie, L. Lat. espiciæ, from Lat. species, a particular sort or kind, a species, Late Lat. spices, drugs, &c., of the same sort.]
Sense 1. A vegetable production, fragrant or aromatic to the smell and pungent to the taste;—used in sauces and in cookery.
Sense 2. Hence, that which resembles spice, or enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of a thing; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity. “So much of the will, with a spice of the willful.” Coleridge.
Sense 3. [Fr. espèce, Pr. especia, Sp. & Pg. especie, It. specie, spezie.] A sample; a species. [Obs.]
Justice, although it be but one entire virtue, yet is described in two kinds of spices. The one is named justice distributive, the other is called commutative. Sir T. Elyot.