laces
/ˈleɪsɪz/
NOUN
1. Decorative fabric with intricate patterns
Delicate ornamental fabrics made by interlacing, looping, or knotting threads to create decorative patterns with open spaces.
1.1. Textiles and decorative clothing
Refers to delicate patterned fabrics used to decorate dresses, garments, veils, curtains, and other textile products.
Synonyms
Examples
- The wedding dresses featured delicate silk laces along their sleeves.
- The designer incorporated handmade laces into the elegant gowns.
Related Words
- embroidery
- fabrics
- textiles
- needlework
- ornamentation
- weaving
- trimmings
- rickracks
NOUN
2. Cords used for fastening
Thin cords, strings, or ribbons threaded through holes or eyelets and tied to secure clothing, footwear, or other objects.
2.1. Shoes and footwear
Refers to cords threaded through eyelets in shoes or boots and tied to keep the footwear securely fastened.
Synonyms
- shoelaces
- shoestrings
- strings
- cords
- laces
Examples
- The sneakers had colorful laces that added a playful touch to the outfit.
- She skillfully tied the laces of her running shoes before hitting the trail.
- His old boots were worn, but the leather laces were still intact.
Related Words
2.2. Ropes, cables, and fastening lines
Refers to cords or flexible lines used for securing, connecting, or supporting objects in various practical applications.
Synonyms
Examples
- The sailors inspected the laces and ropes securing the equipment.
- The tent was secured with strong cords and flexible laces.
Related Words
NOUN
3. Nets and interwoven snares
Nets, traps, or snares formed from interconnected cords or threads woven together to catch or restrain animals or objects.
3.1. Traps and netting
Describes interwoven cord structures used as nets or snares for catching, trapping, or restraining something.
Synonyms
Examples
- The hunters inspected their woven laces before setting the traps.
- The animals became entangled in the network of cords.
Related Words
NOUN
4. Alcohol added to beverages
Amounts of alcoholic spirits added to coffee or other beverages to enhance their flavor or intoxicating effect.
4.1. Alcoholic additions to drinks
Refers to alcoholic spirits or liquor mixed into beverages, particularly coffee, tea, or other drinks.
Synonyms
- spirits
- liquors
- alcoholic additions
Examples
- The guests enjoyed their coffee with generous laces of brandy.
- The bartender prepared several warm beverages with alcoholic additions.
Related Words
- brandy
- rum
- cocktails
- intoxication
- beverages
- infusions
VERB
5. To fasten with laces
To secure or tighten something by threading cords, strings, or laces through openings and tying them.
5.1. Shoes and clothing
Describes fastening footwear or garments by threading laces through eyelets or openings and tying them securely.
Synonyms
- ties
- fastens
- secures
- strings
- does up
Antonyms
- unlaces
- unties
- unfastens
- loosens
Examples
- She laces her running shoes before every morning workout.
- He carefully laces his boots before climbing the mountain.
Related Words
VERB
6. To add another substance to food or drink
To introduce alcohol, drugs, poison, or another ingredient into food or beverages, sometimes to alter their flavor or effects.
6.1. Alcoholic beverages
Describes adding liquor or alcoholic spirits to drinks or food to enhance flavor or produce an intoxicating effect.
Synonyms
- spikes
- fortifies
- doctors
- flavors
- enriches
Antonyms
- waters down
- dilutes
- decontaminates
Examples
- She laces her coffee with brandy during the winter months.
- The bartender laces the hot chocolate with rum.
Related Words
- liquor
- spirits
- brandy
- rum
- cocktails
- intoxication
- infusion
6.2. Drugs, poison, and harmful substances
Describes secretly or deliberately introducing drugs, poison, or other harmful substances into food or beverages.
Synonyms
- adulterates
- spikes
- contaminates
- taints
- doctors
- poisons
- befouls
- pollutes
- envenoms
Antonyms
- decontaminates
- cleanses
- purifies
- filters
- purges
Examples
- Someone laces the drink with a powerful sedative.
- The investigators discover that the food has been laced with poison.
Related Words
- toxins
- poisons
- sedatives
- contamination
- adulterants
- intoxication
- substances
6.3. Flavoring and seasoning food
Describes adding spices, herbs, or other flavoring ingredients to food and beverages to create a stronger or more distinctive taste.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- dilutes
- waters down
- attenuates
Examples
- The chef laces the sauce with aromatic herbs and spices.
- She laces the soup with garlic and fresh pepper.
Related Words
- seasonings
- spices
- herbs
- condiments
- aromas
- flavorings
- ingredients
VERB
7. To interweave or intertwine
To combine or connect separate strands, threads, or objects by weaving or intertwining them together.
7.1. Threads, strands, and materials
Describes weaving or intertwining separate threads, cords, fibers, or flexible materials into a connected arrangement.
Synonyms
- interlaces
- interweaves
- intertwines
- entwines
- braids
- plaits
- weaves
- twists
- enlaces
Antonyms
- disentangles
- untangles
- uncoils
- unwinds
- untwines
Examples
- The artisan laces colorful threads together to create intricate patterns.
- She laces strands of ribbon through the decorative framework.
Related Words
7.2. Bicycle wheel construction
Describes arranging and connecting bicycle wheel spokes by crossing and threading them between the hub and rim in a particular pattern.
Synonyms
- interlaces
- interweaves
- weaves
- threads
Antonyms
- disentangles
- separates
- uncoils
Examples
- The mechanic laces the bicycle wheel spokes before tightening them.
- He carefully laces the spokes into a traditional three-cross pattern.
Related Words
- spokes
- hub
- rim
- wheel
- crossing pattern
- wheelbuilding
VERB
8. To beat or lash repeatedly
To strike or beat someone or something repeatedly, often with a whip, strap, or similar implement.
8.1. Physical beating and punishment
Describes repeatedly striking or whipping a person or animal, particularly as an act of punishment or physical assault.
Synonyms
Examples
- The historical account describes how the guards lace prisoners with repeated blows.
- The attackers lace their opponent with a series of powerful strikes.
Related Words
- whipping
- beating
- flogging
- punishment
- assault
- violence
- striking
8.2. Marking with stripes or streaks
Describes producing repeated stripes, lines, or marks across a surface or someone's body through blows or strokes.
Synonyms
Examples
- The repeated strokes lace his back with painful red marks.
- The whip laces the surface with long, visible stripes.
Related Words
VERB
9. To decorate with ornamental strips or braids
To adorn or embellish something by adding narrow decorative strips, braids, or other ornamental materials.
9.1. Clothing and decorative textiles
Describes adding decorative braids, narrow strips, or ornamental materials to garments and textiles to enhance their appearance.
Synonyms
- trims
- adorns
- decorates
- embellishes
- braids
- rickracks
- ricracs
Examples
- The tailor laces the sleeves of the jacket with decorative gold braid.
- The designer laces the edges of the dress with delicate ornamental fabric.
Related Words
- trimmings
- edgings
- embroidery
- braiding
- ornamentation
- filigree
- decoration