Lace — Defs

01 n. That which binds or holds, especially by being interwoven; a string, cord, or band, usually one passing through eyelet or other holes, and …

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.
“His hat hung at his back down by a lace.” — Chaucer.

“For striving more, the more in laces strong Himself he tied.” — Spenser.
2.
A snare or gin, especially one made of interwoven cords; a net.[Obs.]
“Vulcanus had caught thee [Venus] in his lace.” — Chaucer.
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.
“Our English dames are much given to the wearing of costly laces.” — Bacon.
4.
Spirits added to coffee or some other beverage.[Old Slang]

Phrases & compounds

Alençon lace — a kind of point lace, entirely of needlework, first made at Alençon in France, in the 17th century. It is very durable and of great beauty and cost.

Bone lace — See under Bone, Brussels, etc.

Gold 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 — a large, aquatic, Australian lizard (Hydrosaurus giganteus), allied to the monitors.

Lace paper — paper with an openwork design in imitation of lace.

Lace piece — the main piece of timber which supports the beak or head projecting beyond the stem of a ship.

Lace pillow — See under Pillow.

02 v. t. To fasten with a lace; to draw together with a lace passed through eyelet holes; to unite with a lace or laces, or, figuratively. with anyt…

imp. & p. p. Laced; p. pr. & vb. n. Lacing

1.
To fasten with a lace; to draw together with a lace passed through eyelet holes; to unite with a lace or laces, or, figuratively. with anything resembling laces.
“When Jenny's stays are newly laced.” — Prior.
2.
To adorn with narrow strips or braids of some decorative material; as, cloth laced with silver.
3.
To beat; to lash; to make stripes on.[Colloq.]
“I'll lace your coat for ye.” — L'Estrange.
4.
To add something to (a food or beverage) so as to impart flavor, pungency, or some special quality; as, to lace a punch with alcohol; to lace the Kool-Aid with LSD.[Old Slang]
5.
To twine or draw as a lace; to interlace; to intertwine.
“The Gond . . . picked up a trail of the Karela, the vine that bears the bitter wild gourd, and laced it to and fro across the temple door.” — Kipling.

03 v. i. To be fastened with a lace, or laces; as, these boots lace.

1.
To be fastened with a lace, or laces; as, these boots lace.