'The spoils system' definitions:
Definition of 'The spoils system'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- Gentle gales, Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmy spoils. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 3. That which is gained by strength or effort. [1913 Webster]
- Each science and each art his spoil. --Bentley. [1913 Webster]
- 4. The act or practice of plundering; robbery; waste. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 5. Corruption; cause of corruption. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]
- Villainous company hath been the spoil of me. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 6. The slough, or cast skin, of a serpent or other animal. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]