Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - spoil

v. & n. --v. (past and past part. spoilt or spoiled) 1 tr. a damage; diminish the value of (was spoilt by the rain; will spoil all the fun). b reduce a person's enjoyment etc. of (the news spoiled his dinner). 2 tr. injure the character of (esp. a child, pet, etc.) by excessive indulgence. 3 intr. a (of food) go bad, decay; become unfit for eating. b (usu. in neg.) (of a joke, secret, etc.) become stale through long keeping. 4 tr. render (a ballot paper) invalid by improper marking. 5 tr. (foll. by of) archaic or literary plunder or deprive (a person of a thing) by force or stealth (spoiled him of all his possessions). --n. 1 (usu. in pl.) a plunder taken from an enemy in war, or seized by force. b esp. joc. profit or advantages gained by succeeding to public office, high position, etc. 2 earth etc. thrown up in excavating, dredging, etc. Phrases and idioms be spoiling for aggressively seek (a fight etc.). spoils system US the practice of giving public office to the adherents of a successful party. spoilt for choice having so many choices that it is difficult to choose. Etymology: ME f. OF espoillier, espoille f. L spoliare f. spolium spoil, plunder, or f. DESPOIL