v.
(past and past part. spoilt (chiefly Brit.) or spoiled)
- diminish or destroy the value or quality of.
▸(of food) become unfit for eating.
▸mark (a ballot paper) incorrectly so as to invalidate one's vote.
- harm the character of (a child) by being too indulgent.
▸treat with great or excessive kindness or generosity.
-
(be spoiling for)
be extremely or aggressively eager for.
- archaic rob by force or violence.
n.
-
(spoils)
stolen goods.
- waste material brought up during the course of an excavation or a dredging or mining operation.
Phrase
- be spoilt for choice
Brit. have so many options that it is difficult to make a choice.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: shortening of OFr. espoille (n.), espoillier (v.), from L. spoliare, from spolium ‘plunder, skin stripped from an animal’, or a shortening of despoil.