subs. (old).—1. The smallest standard of value: also AMBS-ACE: see RAP, STRAW, etc. Hence TO BATE AN ACE = to make a slight reduction: also ‘BATE ME AN ACE, quoth Bolton’ = a derisive retort; WITHIN AN ACE (or AMB’S-ACE) = nearly, within a shade; see AMES ACE.
1528. MORE, Heresies [Works (1557), 170. 2]. I will not muche sticke with you for one ACE better.
1570. EDWARDS, Damon and Pithias [DODSLEY, Old Plays (HAZLITT), iv. 77]. Nay, there BATE AN ACE (quod Bolton); I can wear a horn and blow it not.
1579. TOMSON, Calvin’s Sermons, Timothy, 13. 2. Such as did their best to be an ACE above Timothie.
1587. GASCOIGNE, The Steele Glas [CHALMERS, English Poets, ii. 559. 2]. Better loke of, than loke an ACE to farre.
1592. SHAKESPEARE, Midsummer Night’s Dream, v. 1. 314. Less than an ACE man; for he is dead: he is nothing.
c. 1600. CAMDEN, Remaines, ‘Proverbs’ [SMITH (1870), 319]. BATE ME AN ACE of that, QUOTH BOLTON.
1615. H. P[ARROT]. Mastive.
| A pamphlet was of proverbs penn’d by Polton, | |
| Wherein he thought all sorts included were; | |
| Until one told him BATE M’ AN ACE, QUOTH BOLTON: | |
| Indeed (said he) that proverb is not there. |
1616. HAUGHTON, English-Men for my Money, ii. 2. Yet a man may want of his will, and BATE AN ACE of his wish.
1621. BURTON, The Anatomy of Melancholy, Dem. (1893), 25. I may be peradventure an ACE before thee.
1633. JONSON, ATale of a Tub, ii. 1. Go to, I will not BATE him AN ACE on’t.
1676. MARVELL, Mr. Smirke (1875), IV. 60. The exposer has not BATED him AN ACE.
1679. Trial of Langhorn, 18. His Wife was but AUMES ACE turned from a devil.
1698. VANBRUGH, Æsop, v. 1. [ROUTLEDGE, 383]. Reduced within AMBS-ACE of hanging or drowning.
d. 1704. T. BROWN, Letter to George Moult, in Works, i. 233. I was within an ACE of being talked to Death by a parcel of Huguenots.
1733. R. NORTH, The Lives of the Norths (1826), III. 323. BATING him that ACE he was truly a great man. Ibid., Examen, I. iii. 158. His Lordship was within AMS-ACE of being put in the plot.
1737. The Aquarian Naturalist, ‘Dragon of Wantley’ (1858), 355.
| The Corporation worshipful | |
| He valued not an ACE. |
1800. EDGEWORTH, Castle Rackrent, 28. Within AMES-ACE of getting quit … of all his enemies.
1824. IRVING, Tales of a Traveller, II. 43. I came within an ACE of making my fortune.
1880. Manchester Guardian, 30 Oct. Within an ACE of being carried into execution.
2. (venery).—The female pudendum: also ACE OF SPADES (q.v.): see MONOSYLLABLE. Hence TO PLAY ONE’S ACE AND TAKE THE JACK (q.v.) = to receive a man: see GREENS.
See AMES-ACE.
