spoil (spoil)

v., spoiled, or spoilt (spoilt), spoil·ing, spoils.

v.tr.

1. 1. To impair the value or quality of.
   2. 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.
   1. To plunder; despoil.
   2. 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
   1. Goods or property seized from a victim after a conflict, especially after a military victory.
   2. 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

1. To be eager for: spoiling for a fight.

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

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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