| spoil (spoil) v. spoiled or spoilt (spoilt), spoil·ing, spoils v.tr. 1. a. To impair the value or quality of. b. To damage irreparably; ruin. 2. To impair the completeness, perfection, or unity of; flaw grievously: spoiled the party. 3. To do harm to the character, nature, or attitude of by oversolicitude, overindulgence, or excessive praise. See Synonyms at pamper. 4. Archaic a. To plunder; despoil. b. To take by force. v.intr. 1. To become unfit for use or consumption, as from decay. Used especially of perishables, such as food. See Synonyms at decay. 2. To pillage. n. Phrasal Verb: 1. spoils a. Goods or property seized from a victim after a conflict, especially after a military victory. b. Incidental benefits reaped by a winner, especially political patronage enjoyed by a successful party or candidate. 2. An object of plunder; prey. 3. Refuse material removed from an excavation. 4. Archaic The act of plundering; spoliation. spoil for To be eager for: spoiling for a fight. [Middle English spoilen, to plunder, from Old French espoillier, from Latin spoli  re, from spolium, booty.] |
spoils [spɔɪlz]
pl n
1. (Military) (sometimes singular) valuables seized by violence, esp in war
2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) Chiefly US the rewards and benefits of public office regarded as plunder for the winning party or candidate See also spoils system
Spoils goods acquired by confiscation or seized by force.
Examples: spoils of the city, c. 1300; of the continent, 1774; of time, 1750; of war, 1697.
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