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spike
- 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 nail2 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 1e3: 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 4plural : spike heel 25: 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)7slang : hypodermic needle8: a momentary sharp increase and fall in electric potential; also : action potential9: an abrupt sharp increase (as in prices or rates)
— spike·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
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