Dictionary-Definition.com :: Spoiling definition

Definition of 'spoiling'

noun

The process of becoming spoiled [syn: spoilage, spoiling]

noun

The act of spoiling something by causing damage to it; "her spoiling my dress was deliberate" [syn: spoil, spoiling, spoilage]

From: GCIDE

Spoil \Spoil\ (spoil), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spoiled (spoild) or Spoilt (spoilt); p. pr. & vb. n. Spoiling.] [F. spolier, OF. espoillier, fr. L. spoliare, fr. spolium spoil. Cf. Despoil, Spoliation.]
1. To plunder; to strip by violence; to pillage; to rob; -- with of before the name of the thing taken; as, to spoil one of his goods or possessions. "Ye shall spoil the Egyptians." --Ex. iii. 22. [1913 Webster]
My sons their old, unhappy sire despise, Spoiled of his kingdom, and deprived of eyes. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
2. To seize by violence; to take by force; to plunder. [1913 Webster]
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man. --Mark iii. 27. [1913 Webster]
3. To cause to decay and perish; to corrupt; to vitiate; to mar. [1913 Webster]
Spiritual pride spoils many graces. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
4. To render useless by injury; to injure fatally; to ruin; to destroy; as, to spoil paper; to have the crops spoiled by insects; to spoil the eyes by reading. [1913 Webster]