n.
Pronunciation: ' sp ī k
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably from Old Norse sp ī k splinter & sp ī kr 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 \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective