Definitions for: Spike


[n] sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes; "spikes provide greater traction"
[n] a long metal nail
[n] any holding device consisting of a long sharp-pointed object
[n] a long sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)
[n] a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall
[n] a transient variation in voltage or current
[n] (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
[n] fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn
[v] add alcohol beverages
[v] bring forth a spike or spikes, as of flowers, such as hyacinths
[v] pierce with a sharp stake or point; "impale a shrimp on a skewer"
[v] secure with spikes
[v] stand in the way of



Webster (1913) Definition: Spike, n. [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D.
spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. sp[=i]k; all perhaps
from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of
nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. Spine.]
1. A sort of very large nail; also, a piece of pointed iron
set with points upward or outward.

2. Anything resembling such a nail in shape.

He wears on his head the corona radiata . . .; the
spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun.
--Addison.

3. An ear of corn or grain.

4. (Bot.) A kind of flower cluster in which sessile flowers
are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis.

Spike grass (Bot.), either of two tall perennial American
grasses (Uniola paniculata, and U. latifolia) having
broad leaves and large flattened spikelets.

Spike rush. (Bot.) See under Rush.

Spike shell (Zo["o]l.), any pteropod of the genus
Styliola having a slender conical shell.

Spike team, three horses, or a horse and a yoke of oxen,
harnessed together, a horse leading the oxen or the span.
[U.S.]


Spike, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spiked; p. pr. & vb. n.
Spiking.]
1. To fasten with spikes, or long, large nails; as, to spike
down planks.

2. To set or furnish with spikes.

3. To fix on a spike. [R.] --Young.

4. To stop the vent of (a gun or cannon) by driving a spike
nail, or the like into it.


Spike, n. [Cf. G. spieke, L. spica an ear of grain. See
Spikenard.] (Bot.)
Spike lavender. See Lavender.

Oil of spike (Chem.), a colorless or yellowish aromatic oil
extracted from the European broad-leaved lavender, or
aspic (Lavendula Spica), used in artist's varnish and in
veterinary medicine. It is often adulterated with oil of
turpentine, which it much resembles.

Synonyms: capitulum, ear, empale, fortify, impale, lace, spike out, transfix

See Also: alter, banish, bar, change, climber, climbing iron, corn, crampon, crampoon, develop, electrical discharge, fasten, fix, fruit, holding device, implement, Indian corn, inflorescence, maize, mealie, nail, pierce, pin, piton, pricket, projection, relegate, secure, shoe, spadix, spear, spikelet, sporting goods, sports equipment, thrust, Zea mays

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