spike

¹spike

noun \ˈspīk\

Definition of SPIKE

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 \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of SPIKE

Middle English, probably from Old Norse spīk splinter & spīkr spike; akin to Middle Dutch spiker spike — more at spoke

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with SPIKE

bike, dike, fyke, haik, hike, like, mike, pike, psych, shrike, sike, strike, trike, tyke