Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - mace

1. n. 1 a staff of office, esp. the symbol of the Speaker's authority in the House of Commons. 2 hist. a heavy club usu. having a metal head and spikes. 3 a stick used in the game of bagatelle. 4 = mace-bearer. Phrases and idioms mace-bearer an official who carries a mace on ceremonial occasions. Etymology: ME f. OF mace, masse f. Rmc mattea (unrecorded) club 2. n. the dried outer covering of the nutmeg, used as a spice. Etymology: ME macis (taken as pl.) f. OF macis f. L macir a red spicy bark