pike 1
— pikelike , adj.
/puyk/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) pike , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) pikes .
1. any of several large, slender, voracious freshwater fishes of the genus Esox, having a long, flat snout: the blue pike of the Great Lakes is now extinct.
2. any of various superficially similar fishes, as the walleye or pikeperch.
[ 1275-1325; ME; so called from its pointed snout (see PIKE 5 ) ]
pike 2
/puyk/ , n. , v. , piked, piking .
n.
1. a shafted weapon having a pointed head, formerly used by infantry.
v.t.
2. to pierce, wound, or kill with or as with a pike.
[ 1505-15; pique, fem. var. of pic PICK 2 5 , PIQUE 1 ]
pike 3
/puyk/ , n.
1. a toll road or highway; turnpike road.
2. a turnpike or tollgate.
3. the toll paid at a tollgate.
4. come down the pike , Informal. to appear or come forth: the greatest idea that ever came down the pike.
[ 1820-30, Amer.; short for TURNPIKE ]
pike 4
/puyk/ , n. Chiefly Brit.
a hill or mountain with a pointed summit.
[ 1350-1400; ME; special use of PIKE 5 ; cf. OE hornpic pinnacle ]
pike 5
/puyk/ , n.
1. a sharply pointed projection or spike.
2. the pointed end of anything, as of an arrow or a spear.
[ bef. 900; ME pik pick, spike, (pilgrim's) staff, OE pic pointed tool. See PICK 2 ]
pike 6
/puyk/ , v.i. , piked, piking . Older Slang.
to go, leave, or move along quickly.
[ 1425-75; late ME pyke (reflexive); perh. orig. to equip oneself with a walking stick. See PIKE 5 ]
pike 7
/puyk/ , n. Diving, Gymnastics.
a body position, resembling a V shape, in which the back and head are bent forward and the legs lifted and held together, with the hands touching the feet or backs of the knees or the arms extended sideways. Cf. layout (def. 10), tuck 1 (def. 14).
[ 1955-60; perh. special use of PIKE 1 ]