verb (used with object), spliced, splic·ing.
- to join together or unite (two ropes or parts of a rope) by the interweaving of strands.
- to unite (timbers, spars, or the like) by overlapping and binding their ends.
- to unite (film, magnetic tape, or the like) by butting and cementing.
- to join or unite.
- Genetics. to join (segments of DNA or RNA) together.
- Informal. to unite in marriage: They’ll be spliced in June.
noun
- a joining of two ropes or parts of a rope by splicing.
- the union or junction made by splicing.
- a joining or junction of two pieces of timber, spar, etc., by overlapping and fastening the ends.
- a joining of film, electromagnetic tape, or the like.
Idioms
- splice the main brace, Nautical.
- to issue a ration of spirits, as grog, to all hands.
- to drink spirits.
verb (tr)
- to join (two ropes) by intertwining the strands
- to join up the trimmed ends of (two pieces of wire, film, magnetic tape, etc) with solder or an adhesive material
- to join (timbers) by overlapping and binding or bolting the ends together
- (passive) informal to enter into marriagethe couple got spliced last Saturday
- splice the mainbrace nautical history to issue and partake of an extra allocation of alcoholic spirits
noun
- a join made by splicing
- the place where such a join occurs
- the wedge-shaped end of a cricket-bat handle or similar instrument that fits into the blade
v.1520s, originally a sailors’ word, from Middle Dutch splissen “to splice,” ultimately from PIE *(s)plei- “to split, splice” (see flint). The Dutch word was borrowed in French as épisser. Used of motion picture film from 1912; of DNA from 1975. Related: Spliced; splicing.
- To join together genes or gene fragments or insert them into a cell or other structure, such as a virus, by means of enzymes. In genetic engineering, scientists splice together genetic material to produce new genes or to alter a genetic structure. In messenger RNA, the introns are removed, and exons are spliced together to yield the final messenger RNA that is translated. See also exon intron.