spoils

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.

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.

Phrasal Verb:

spoil for

To be eager for: spoiling for a fight.

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[Middle English spoilen, to plunder, from Old French espoillier, from Latin spolire, from spolium, booty.]

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spoils

Noun, pl

1. valuables seized during war

2. the rewards and benefits of having political power

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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.

Thesaurus

spoils

plural noun booty, loot, plunder, gain, prizes, prey, pickings, pillage, swag (slang) boodle (slang), chiefly U.S. rapine

Translations

spoils [spɔɪlz] npl → despojo sg; botín msg

spoils [spɔɪlz] npl → butin m

spoils [spɔɪlz] npl → Beute f (fig); Gewinn m

spoils [spɔɪlz] npl → bottino