well-lacedadj.
/ˌwɛlˈleɪst/, U.S. /ˌwɛlˈleɪst/ 1. Usually of clothes or shoes: tightly or securely fastened with laces.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > fastened in specific way > other
well-laced?1590
frogged1774
tight-laced1861
front-fastening1871
fly-fronted1901
zip-up1927
?1590 A. Munday tr. First Bk. Amadis of Gaule v. f. 25 The Prince had his Sheeld and Launce ready, and his Helmet very well laced.
1807 Salmagundi 4 Feb. 35 Our ladies in stays and in boddice well laced.., Like O'Braliagan's mistress, were shaped like a pail.
1842 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zanoni v. ii. 261 She re-dressed for dinner;—her stays well laced,—her cap prim,—her gown, winter and summer, of a thick, handsome silk.
?1850 Illustr. London Almanack 1851 5/2 Give them a thick comforter round their necks, a pair of warm worsted gloves, see that their boots are also well laced.
1942 Motor Boating Mar. 50/2 A canvas covering no matter how well laced will sag eventually.
2002 C. Ryan Land of Fire (2008) v. 42 Stupid, my brain was telling me—stupid to lose your life because of a well-laced boot.
2. Richly or generously ornamented or trimmed with lace. Now rare.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > having specific parts > ornamented or trimmed > other
cudgelled1598
semined1604
story-wrought1608
well-laced1664
goffered1706
cockaded1713
epauletted1810
aiguilletted1841
fussy1858
sashed1869
overtrimmed1872
tabbed1872
pailletted1892
strapped1892
paillette1896
bullioned1902
1664 F. Philipps Mistaken Recompense Ep. Ded. sig. c A Frock-porters little Daughter shall go with her breasts and shoulders naked, white shoes, Coif and Pinner well laced.
1669 G. Miege Relation of Three Embassies 128 A very faire glass coach drawn by six black horses, with rich housses of Scarlet very well laced and fringed with silver.
1739 H. Baker & J. Miller tr. Molière Don John i. ii, in Molière Wks. IV. 257 You are a Man of Quality,..you have a fair well-curl'd Perruke, a Feather in your Hat, a well-lac'd Coat.
1746 H. Walpole Epil. to Tamerlane 4 To Eyes well-tutor'd in the Trade of Grief, She rais'd a small and well-lac'd Handkerchief.
1835 T. Pennington Journey into Var. Parts of Europe II. xvi. 153 Many hire men for a Sunday or holiday, and dress them in old liveries well laced.
1847 F. Trollope Three Cousins II. v. 109 Bestowing upon him a variety of pretty playful flagellations; now, with her perfumed, well-laced handkerchief; now, with her golden pencil-case.
2008 P. Chrisler Cassalancq xxv. 194 The still piqued young monarch extended a well-laced hand to the hag.
3. Of a drink: mixed with a generous measure of alcoholic liquor. Cf. laced adj.1 5a. Somewhat rare.
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the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [adjective] > with alcohol added
spiritful1608
sprightful1615
spirituous1646
spirited1648
with a stick in it1808
well-laced1826
brandied1833
brandified1841
whiskied1850
spiked1909
needled1929
alcoholic1989
1826 J. F. Cooper Last of Mohicans I. vi. 78 A powerful draught of the woodman's high flavoured and well-laced compound.
1963 Boston Globe 24 Feb. a31/8 In place of the milk.., he decided to pour in the same amount of the well-laced richer mixture.
2005 I. Hill-Smith Golden Spanner xxviii. 311 Joe opened a thermos and they all had a well-laced drink.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.?1590