I.a drink-offering, i. e. the wine poured out to the gods before drinking, Lat. libatio, Hes., Hdt.; σπονδὰς θεοῖς λείβειν, σπένδειν Aesch., Eur.
II.in pl., σπονδαί was a solemn treaty or truce, (because solemn drink-offerings were made on concluding them); σπονδαὶ ἄκρητοι the truce made by pouring unmixed wine, Il.; αἱ Λακεδαιμονίων σπ. the truce with them. Thuc.; σπονδὰς παραδιδόναι Ar.; δέχεσθαι Thuc.; τυχεῖν Xen.; σπ. ποιεῖσθαί τινι to make a truce with one, Hdt.; πρός τινα Ar.; σπ. τέμνειν (like ὅρκια τέμνειν) Eur.; σπ. ἄγειν πρός τινας Thuc.