mace
n.a strong spray that causes pain and tears in the eyes. You use it to protect yourself from an attacker.
n.a chemical irritant, typically containing chloroacetophenone or oleoresin capsicum, used as a non-lethal aerosol spray for self-defence or riot control.
“She carries mace on her keychain for safety.”
“The security guard was forced to use mace to stop the intruder from entering the building.”
“The bows, arrows, daggers, and maces found in their tombs were often interpreted as ceremonial objects rather than equipment the women had actually used.”
“Princess Ita, they determined, died between the ages of 24 and 28 and had strong upper-body muscle attachments, suggesting habitual use of maces or daggers.”
* As an English surname, from the personal name Masse, probably shortened from Matthew. Compare Massey, Massett. * As a French and Breton surname, from Macé, vernacular form of Mathieu. Compare Maze. * Also as a French surname, from Macé in Orne, from Late Latin Macciacum, from the personal name Maccius. * Also as a French surname, variant of Massé; see Masse.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.