spike
1a naillike fastener, 3 to 12 inches (7.6 to 30.5 centimeters) long and proportionately thicker than a common nail, for fastening together heavy timbers or railroad track.
something resembling such a nail; a stiff, sharp-pointed piece or part: to set spikes in the top of a cement wall.
a sharp-pointed piece of metal set with the point outward, as on a weapon.
an abrupt increase or rise: a chart showing a spike of unusual activity in the stock market; a sudden spike of electrical current.
a rectangular or naillike metal projection on the heel and sole of a shoe for improving traction, as of a baseball player or a runner.
spikes, a pair of shoes having such projections.
the unbranched antler of a young deer.
Botany. a flower stalk.
a pointed portion of a continuous curve or graph, usually rising above the adjacent portion: a spike in the value of the voltage.
Volleyball. a hard smash, hit close to the net, almost straight down into the opponent's court.
Slang. a hypodermic needle.
to fasten or secure with a spike or spikes.
to provide or set with a spike or spikes.
to pierce with or impale on a spike.
to set or stud with something suggesting spikes.
to injure (another player or a competitor) with the spikes of one's shoe, as in baseball.
Volleyball. to hit (a ball in the air) with a powerful, overarm motion from a position close to the net so as to cause it to travel almost straight down into the court of the opponents.
Football. to slam (the ball) to the ground in the end zone, after scoring a touchdown.
to render (a muzzle-loading gun) useless by driving a spike into the touchhole.
to make ineffective; frustrate or thwart: to spike a rumor; to spike someone's chances for promotion.
Informal.
to add alcoholic liquor to (a drink).
to add (a chemical, poison, or other substance) to: The cocoa was spiked with cyanide.
Journalism Slang. to refuse (a story) by or as if by placing on a spindle.
to rise or increase sharply (often followed by up): Interest rates spiked up last week.
Idioms about spike
spike someone's guns. gun1 (def. 18).
Origin of spike
1Other words from spike
- spikelike, adjective
Other definitions for spike (2 of 2)
an ear, as of wheat or other grain.
Botany. an inflorescence in which the flowers are without a stalk, or apparently so, along an elongated, unbranched axis.
Origin of spike
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for spike (1 of 2)
/ (spaɪk) /
a sharp point
any sharp-pointed object, esp one made of metal
a long metal nail
physics
a transient variation in voltage or current in an electric circuit
a graphical recording of this, such as one of the peaks on an electroencephalogram
(plural) shoes with metal projections on the sole and heel for greater traction, as used by athletes
the straight unbranched antler of a young deer
British slang another word for dosshouse
to secure or supply with or as with spikes
to render ineffective or block the intentions of; thwart
to impale on a spike
to add alcohol to (a drink)
journalism to reject (a news story)
volleyball to hit (a ball) sharply downwards with an overarm motion from the front of one's own court into the opposing court
(formerly) to render (a cannon) ineffective by blocking its vent with a spike
spike someone's guns to thwart someone's purpose
Origin of spike
1British Dictionary definitions for spike (2 of 2)
/ (spaɪk) /
an inflorescence consisting of a raceme of sessile flowers, as in the gladiolus and sedges
an ear of wheat, barley, or any other grass that has sessile spikelets
Origin of spike
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for spike
[ spīk ]
An elongated indeterminate inflorescence in which the flowers are attached directly to a common stem, rather than borne on individual stalks arising from the stem. The gladiolus produces spikes. The distinctive spikes of grasses such as wheat or barley are known as spikelets. See illustration at inflorescence.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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