Spoil \Spoil\, n. [Cf. OF. espoille, L. spolium.]
   1. That which is taken from another by violence; especially,
      the plunder taken from an enemy; pillage; booty.
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            Gentle gales,
            Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense
            Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole
            Those balmy spoils.                   --Milton.
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   2. Public offices and their emoluments regarded as the
      peculiar property of a successful party or faction, to be
      bestowed for its own advantage; -- commonly in the plural;
      as, to the victor belong the spoils.
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            From a principle of gratitude I adhered to the
            coalition; my vote was counted in the day of battle,
            but I was overlooked in the division of the spoil.
                                                  --Gibbon.
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   3. That which is gained by strength or effort.
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            Each science and each art his spoil.  --Bentley.
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   4. The act or practice of plundering; robbery; waste.
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            The man that hath no music in himself,
            Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
            Is fit for treason, stratagems, and spoils. --Shak.
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   5. Corruption; cause of corruption. [Archaic]
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            Villainous company hath been the spoil of me.
                                                  --Shak.
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   6. The slough, or cast skin, of a serpent or other animal.
      [Obs.] --Bacon.
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   Spoil bank, a bank formed by the earth taken from an
      excavation, as of a canal.

   The spoils system, the theory or practice of regarding
      public offices and their emoluments as so much plunder to
      be distributed among their active partisans by those who
      are chosen to responsible offices of administration.
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