n.
1 a staff of office, esp. the symbol of the Speaker's authority in the House of Commons.
2 hist. a heavy club usu. having a metal head and spikes.
3 a stick used in the game of bagatelle.
4 = mace-bearer.
Phrases and idioms:
mace-bearer an official who carries a mace on ceremonial occasions.
Etymology: ME f. OF mace, masse f. Rmc mattea (unrecorded) club
2.
n. the dried outer covering of the nutmeg, used as a spice.
Etymology: ME macis (taken as pl.) f. OF macis f. L macir a red spicy bark
Useful english dictionary. 2012.