Obs. Forms: α. 1, 3 spic, 4–5 spyk (5 spike), 6 spycke. β. 3 spiche. [OE. spic (= ON. and MSw. spik), var. of spec (once): see SPECK sb.4] Fat meat or bacon; fat, grease, lard.

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  α.  c. 832.  Charter, in O. E. Texts, 446. ii weʓa spices & ceses. Ibid. (835), 449. An weʓ spices & ceses.

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a. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 92. ʓenim þa readen netlan … & spices.

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c. 1205.  Lay., 24437. Þer com spic and water and aten vnimete.

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c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 12345. Dynabrok … [was] Rostyng a swyn,… his berd þer-wiþ al lothen, & al to-soilled wyþ þe spyk.

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c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 469/1. Spyk, or fet flesche (K. spike of fleshe), popa.

6

c. 1529.  Skelton, E. Rummyng, 335. Another brought a spycke Of a bacon flycke.

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  β.  c. 1275.  XI Pains of Hell, 134, in O. E. Misc. Heom me drepeþ myd þe piche As we brede wiþ þe spiche.

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