A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1460-1568
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Spice, Spyce, v. Also: spis(e, spys(e, spyice. [ME and e.m.E. spice (1377), spise (1529), spyce (1555), OF espicer (13th c. in Larousse); Spice n.] tr.
1. To treat (a part of) a corpse (with aromatic substances) as part of the process of embalming.(1) 1460 Hay Alex. 18534.
Thay … him anoyntit with precious oyntmentis Syne bowelleit him and spyiceit him in the cors a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1298.
Thir twa knychtis … Thair kingis corps spicit richely; In syndoun claith him wand with reuerence a1568 Wedderburn Bannatyne MS 279a/28.
Quhen he wes deid thay wemen tuke grit cure To spyce his body in the sepulture(2) a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 1074 (Asl.).
Josephe … spysit [Arund., Harl. spicit; cf. Bann. MS 33a/100, spycit] his body with precious wnȝement Syne grathit him vnto his sepultur c1500 Makculloch MS iv 60.
Josef de curio spisit thé in thi graif With mir & must, most vertuys & suaif 1533 Boece 576.
Douglas resaving the kingis hert spiceing the samyn with divers adoramentis & closing it in ane cais of burnist gold [etc.] a1568 Wedderburn Bannatyne MS 241a/108.
Scho weipit soir the deid of hir husband Spysand his flesche with droggis delicius
2. To season (meat).1536 Linlithgow B. Ct. 6 Oct.
It is ordanit … that quhat flessour the balȝeis requiris pas with thame throw the towne to spis the samyn throw the mercat
b. fig. To season or affect with something.a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ (Schipper) 1059.
My gle is gone, renewit is my wo, My spreit is spicit [Devot. P. spitit] with malancolie
