excise1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɛksʌɪz/

noun

[mass noun, usually as modifier]
  • a tax levied on certain goods and commodities produced or sold within a country and on licences granted for certain activities: the rate of excise duty on spirits

verb

[with object] (usually as adjective excised)
  • charge excise on (goods): excised goods

Origin:

late 15th century (in the general sense 'a tax or toll'): from Middle Dutch excijs, accijs, perhaps based on Latin accensare 'to tax', from ad- 'to' + census 'tax' (see census)

Spelling help

Unlike most verbs ending in -ise, excise cannot be spelled with an -ize ending.