spoil
spoil
UK[spɔɪl]US[spɔɪl]
v
To diminish or destroy the value, quality, or pleasure of something; to make something less good or enjoyable.
v
(of food) To become unfit for eating; to decay.
v
To treat someone with excessive kindness, generosity, or indulgence, especially so that they become selfish or demanding.
n
(spoils) Goods stolen or taken forcibly from a person or place, especially in wartime.
Etymology
The word 'spoil' entered English in the 14th century from the Old French 'espoillier', meaning 'to strip, plunder, despoil'. This Old French term itself descended from the Latin verb 'spoliare', which carried the core meaning 'to strip, rob, or plunder', particularly in the context of stripping armor or weapons from a defeated enemy. The Latin root is 'spolium', meaning 'skin, hide' or, more significantly, 'arms stripped from a foe, booty'. This tangible, physical sense of taking plunder evolved semantically. The meaning broadened to the general idea of causing ruin or decay (as if by plundering), and later specialized into the modern senses of overindulging a person (metaphorically 'robbing' them of character) and of food becoming unfit for use.
Analysis
The modern English word 'spoil' is a simplex form derived as a whole from Latin.
Examples
The heavy rain spoiled our plans for a picnic.
Milk will spoil quickly if it is not refrigerated.
Some people believe you can spoil a child by giving them too many toys.