spicery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ArchaicLiterary / Historical / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “spicery” mean?
A place where spices are stored.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place where spices are stored; the collection of spices.
Spices collectively; the trade in or art of using spices. Figuratively, something that adds piquancy, interest, or variety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference; word is equally rare in both variants. Possibly more likely to be encountered in British historical novels.
Connotations
Evokes medieval or historical settings, trade, and cooking. Poetic or quaint in modern use.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora, categorized as an archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “spicery” in a Sentence
[possessive] spicery (e.g., the merchant's spicery)the spicery of [place/origin] (e.g., the spicery of the Orient)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical studies of trade, medieval cuisine, or economic history.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not a technical term in any major modern field.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spicery”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spicery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spicery”
- Using it as a countable noun for a single spice (e.g., 'a spicery of cinnamon' is incorrect).
- Using it in modern contexts where 'spices' would be natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered a rare and archaic word. The simple word 'spices' is used in all modern contexts.
No. It is a mass noun referring to spices as a collective group or the place where they are stored.
For reading historical literature or texts where this archaism might appear. It is not necessary for active modern use.
It is pronounced SPY-suh-ree, with the primary stress on the first syllable, similar to 'spicy' with an '-ery' ending.
A place where spices are stored.
Spicery is usually literary / historical / archaic in register.
Spicery: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪs(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪs(ə)ri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Spice + ery' like 'brewery' but for spices—a place where spices are kept.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPICERY IS A TREASURY / SPICERY IS A SOURCE OF FLAVOUR AND INTEREST.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the modern use of 'spicery'?