Definition of: spoil

(spoil) v. spoiled or spoilt, spoil·ing v.t.
1. To impair or destroy the value, usefulness, or beauty of; injure: to spoil a book.
2. To weaken or impair the character or personality of, especially by overindulgence: Spare the rod and spoil the child.
3. Obs. To take property from by force; despoil.
4. Obs. To seize by force.
—v.i.
5. To lose normal or useful qualities; specifically, to become tainted or decayed, as food.
6. Obs. To plunder; rob. See synonyms under CORRUPT, DECAY, DEFILE¹, INDULGE, PAMPER.
—to be spoiling for To long for; crave: He is spoiling for a fight.
—noun
1. Plunder seized by violence; booty; loot.
2. plural The emoluments of public office as the objects of political contests and rewards of political service.
3. The act of pillaging; spoliation.
4. An object to be forcibly seized and taken away.
5. Obs. Ruin; destruction.
6. Material removed in digging trenches or excavations.
7. Obs. Damage; waste. See synonyms under PLUNDER. [<OF espoillier <L spoliare <spolium booty]