spoils
C1Formal, literary, or historical
Definition
Meaning
Goods, benefits, or advantages taken by the victor in war, competition, or similar activities.
Metaphorically, any profits, rewards, or gains obtained from an endeavor, often with connotations of being seized or distributed unfairly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a plural noun; often associated with phrases like 'spoils of war' or 'to the victor go the spoils'. Can imply illegitimacy or corruption in contexts like 'spoils system'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use 'spoils' similarly in meaning and context.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of victory, plunder, or unfair distribution of gains.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English in political contexts (e.g., 'spoils system'), but overall usage is comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
spoil somethingspoil someone with attentionspoil for choiceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to the victor go the spoils”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In corporate takeovers, executives often distribute the spoils among themselves.
Academic
Historical analyses frequently examine the spoils of imperial conquests.
Everyday
After winning the tournament, the team enjoyed the spoils with a celebration.
Technical
In archaeology, spoils refer to excavated earth or materials from a site.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The constant rain spoils our holiday plans every year.
- He spoils his grandchildren with expensive gifts.
American English
- Too much praise spoils a child's character.
- She spoils her cat by feeding it gourmet food.
adverb
British English
- She looked at him spoilingly, indulging his every whim.
- He acted spoilingly towards his nephew.
American English
- They treated her spoilingly during the visit.
- He spoke spoilingly to the pampered dog.
adjective
British English
- The spoilt milk had to be discarded immediately.
- He is known for his spoilt behaviour at parties.
American English
- The spoiled apples were left to rot in the basket.
- She grew up as a spoiled only child.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The winner takes the spoils.
- They shared the spoils after the game.
- After the battle, the soldiers divided the spoils among themselves.
- The spoils included gold and jewels.
- The spoils of war often reflect the power dynamics of the conflict.
- Political parties sometimes use a spoils system to reward loyalists.
- Archaeologists studied the spoils from the ancient tomb to understand cultural practices.
- The spoils of corporate success were unevenly distributed among stakeholders.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'spoils' as the 'spoils' of victory that might spoil if not shared, linking to rewards and potential corruption.
Conceptual Metaphor
Spoils as the fruits of victory or as symbols of corruption and greed.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с глаголом 'spoil' (портить), так как существительное 'spoils' означает 'трофеи' или 'добыча'.
- Избегайте прямого перевода как 'испорченные вещи', что неверно в данном контексте.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a spoil' as a singular noun; correct form is 'spoils' for plural contexts.
- Confusing 'spoils' with 'spoil' as a verb meaning to ruin.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'spoils' as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Spoils' is primarily used as a plural noun; the singular form 'spoil' is rare in this sense and often refers to damaged goods.
Yes, 'spoils' is the third person singular present tense of the verb 'spoil', meaning to ruin, damage, or overindulge.
It derives from Old French 'espoille', from Latin 'spolia', meaning booty or plunder, originally from 'spolium' (skin or hide stripped from an animal).
'Spoils' often implies goods taken in war or formal competition, while 'loot' can be more general stolen goods, and 'plunder' emphasizes the act of taking by force.
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