macis
/ma.si/masculine
The French word for the spice mace is macis.
Note that in formal contexts, the phrase La masse d'armes refers to a specific type of war mace used by knights in medieval times.
Meaning: a spice (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
macis is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma.si/
Did you know?
- The word macis may actually be a corruption of the Latin word macir, which referred to an entirely different red spice from India.
- The French language distinguishes between the seed of the nutmeg tree noix de muscade and its outer membrane macis, using two entirely different root words.
- Although macis is the correct term for the spice, many French speakers in casual settings may simply use the term muscade to refer to both nutmeg and mace.
Examples in context
- Dans les temps anciens, les chevaliers utilisaient la masse d'armes pour combattre.In ancient times, knights used maces to fight.
- Le macis est dans le placard.The mace is in the cupboard.
- J'ajoute un peu de macis dans la sauce.I am adding a little mace to the sauce.
- Le goût du macis est très fort.The taste of mace is very strong.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are cooking a dessert together.
- NathanManon, où est le macis ?Manon, where is the mace?
- ManonC'est dans le placard à épices.It is in the spice cupboard.
- NathanJe ne le trouve pas ici.I cannot find it here.
- ManonRegarde derrière le pot de cannelle.Look behind the cinnamon jar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mace” translations and entries macis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries macis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
