Main Entry: ¹spike

Pronunciation: \ˈspīk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, probably from Old Norse spīk splinter & spīkr spike; akin to Middle Dutch spiker spike — more at spoke

Date: 13th century

1 : a very large nail
2 a : one of a row of pointed irons placed (as on the top of a wall) to prevent passage b (1) : one of several metal projections set in the sole and heel of a shoe to improve traction (2) plural : a pair of shoes having spikes attached to the soles or soles and heels c : spindle 1e
3 : something resembling a spike: as a : a young mackerel not over six inches (15.2 centimeters) long b : an unbranched antler of a young deer
4 plural : spike heel 2
5 : the act or an instance of spiking (as in volleyball)
6 a : a pointed element in a graph or tracing b : an unusually high and sharply defined maximum (as of amplitude in a wave train)
7 slang : hypodermic needle
8 : a momentary sharp increase and fall in electric potential; also : action potential
9 : an abrupt sharp increase (as in prices or rates)

— spike·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective