spike
noun
[ spʌɪk ]
• a thin, pointed piece of metal, wood, or another rigid material.
Similar:
prong,
barb,
point,
skewer,
stake,
spit,
projection,
tine,
nail,
pin,
spur,
piton,
fid,
pricket,
thorn,
spine,
prickle,
bristle,
spicule,
• a sharp increase in the magnitude or concentration of something.
• "the oil price spike"
• a hostel ward offering temporary accommodation for the homeless.
• "he queued at the soup kitchen or the spike"
spike
verb
• impale on or pierce with a sharp point.
• "she spiked another oyster"
Similar:
impale,
spear,
skewer,
pierce,
penetrate,
perforate,
stab,
run through,
stick,
spit,
transfix,
transpierce,
• form into or cover with sharp points.
• "his hair was matted and spiked with blood"
• add alcohol or a drug to contaminate (drink or food) surreptitiously.
• "she bought me an orange juice and spiked it with vodka"
• (in volleyball) hit (the ball) forcefully from a position near the net so that it moves downward into the opposite court.
Origin:
Middle English: perhaps from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch spiker, related to spoke1. The verb dates from the early 17th century.
spike
noun
• a flower cluster formed of many flower heads attached directly to a long stem.
Origin:
late Middle English (denoting an ear of corn): from Latin spica (see spica).
