Today's Eytmology: "SPICE" -- a piquant, interesting element or quality; zest; piquancy: The anecdotes lent spice to her talk.

spice

 [spahys]  ,noun, verb, spiced, spic·ing.

noun

1.

any of a class of pungent or aromatic substances of vegetable origin, as pepper, cinnamon, or cloves, used as seasoning, preservatives, etc.

2.

such substances collectively or as material: Cookies without spice can be tasteless.

3.

a spicy  or aromatic odor or fragrance.

4.

something that gives zest: a spice of humor in his solemnity.

5.

a piquant, interesting element or quality; zest; piquancy: The anecdotes lent spice to her talk.