spoil: Meaning and Definition of

spoil

1. to damage severely or harm (something), esp. with reference to its excellence, value, usefulness, etc.: The water stain spoiled the painting. Drought spoiled the corn crop.
2. to diminish or impair the quality of; affect detrimentally: Bad weather spoiled their vacation.
3. to impair, damage, or harm the character or nature of (someone) by unwise treatment, excessive indulgence, etc.: to spoil a child by pampering him.
4. to strip (persons, places, etc.) of goods, valuables, etc.; plunder; pillage; despoil.
5. to take or seize by force.

1. to become bad, or unfit for use, as food or other perishable substances; become tainted or putrid: Milk spoils if not refrigerated.
2. to plunder, pillage, or rob.
3. to be very eager for; be desirous of: It was obvious that he was spoiling for a fight.

1. Often,booty, loot, or plunder taken in war or robbery.
2. the act of plundering.
3. an object of plundering.
4. Usually, the spoils of office.
1. the emoluments and advantages of public office viewed as won by a victorious political party:the spoils of office.
2. prizes won or treasures accumulated:a child's spoils brought home from a party.
5. waste material, as that which is cast up in mining, excavating, quarrying, etc.
6. an imperfectly made object, damaged during the manufacturing process.