mace1
n.
- historical a heavy club with a metal head and spikes.
- a staff of office, especially that which lies on the table in the House of Commons when the Speaker is in the chair.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. masse ‘large hammer’.
mace2
n.
the reddish fleshy outer covering of the nutmeg, dried as a spice.
Etymology
ME macis (taken as pl.), via OFr. from L. macir.