mace

Everyday

1. A heavy club with a metal head, often with spikes, used as a weapon by knights in the Middle Ages. tree →
2. A decorated staff (a fancy stick) carried in ceremonies to show the power of a mayor, parliament or university. tree →
3. A spice made from the red covering of the nutmeg seed. tree →
4. (US) A spray that stings the eyes, used by some police; often called by the brand name Mace. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons a mace is a weapon of medieval knights. In citizenship lessons, the mace in the UK House of Commons, the Australian House of Representatives and other parliaments shows that Parliament is meeting; it is placed on the table during sittings. In cooking, mace is a spice used in cakes and sauces. Phrases: «the ceremonial mace», «a spiked mace», «a pinch of mace».

Examples

• The knight swung his mace at the enemy shield. tree →
• The mace is carried into Parliament at the start of each day. tree →
• The mayor walked in behind a man carrying a silver mace. tree →
• Gran puts a pinch of mace in her Christmas cake. tree →
• Mace comes from the same fruit as nutmeg. tree →
• In the museum we saw a spiked iron mace. tree →
• Without the mace on the table, the House of Commons cannot do its business. tree →
• The university mace is used at graduation. tree →
• Thereupon he said, "This mace will do for the Snake!" tree →

Note

«A mace» (weapon or staff) is countable: two maces. Mace the spice is uncountable: «some mace». Spelled with c; sounds like «mace» rhymes with «face». Trap: «Mace» spray (a brand) is a different thing again. Not a maths word.