spike
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Financial, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
spike 1
(spīk)n.
1.
a. A long, thick, sharp-pointed piece of wood or metal.
b. A heavy nail.
2. A spikelike part or projection, as:
a. A sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall.
b. A thin, sharp-pointed vertical rod for impaling papers; a spindle.
c. An elongate unbranched inflorescence with sessile flowers.
d. A thorn or spine.
e. A tuft of hair that is stiffened, as with hair spray or soap, into a point.
f. Slang A hypodermic needle.
3.
a. One of several sharp metal projections set in the sole or in the sole and heel of an athletic shoe for grip.
b. spikes A pair of athletic shoes having such projections.
4. spikes A pair of spike heels.
5. An unbranched antler of a young deer.
6. A young mackerel of small size, usually 15 centimeters (6 inches) or less in length.
7.
a. A sharp rise followed by a sharp decline in a graph or in the tracing of a scientific instrument.
b. A sharp momentary increase in voltage or electric current.
c. A sudden steep increase in prices.
8.
a. Sports The act of driving a volleyball at a sharp angle into the opponent's court by jumping near the net and hitting the ball down hard from above.
b. Football The act of slamming the ball to the ground after succeeding in an important play, as after scoring a touchdown.
c. Football The act of deliberately throwing the ball to the ground as an incomplete pass in order to stop the game clock.
v. spiked, spik·ing, spikes
v.tr.
1.
a. To secure or provide with a spike.
b. To shape into spikes.
2. To impale, pierce, or injure with a spike.
3. To injure with spiked shoes, especially when sliding in baseball.
4. To put an end to; terminate: spike a rumor.
5. Informal
a. To add alcoholic liquor to: spiked the punch with rum.
b. To add a poison or other chemical to: a drink spiked with barbiturates.
c. To add flavor or spice to: "Miss Jane brought him ... cold spring water spiked with a dash of vinegar and a touch of molasses" (Howard Frank Mosher).
d. To add excitement or vitality to: spiked the speech with many jokes.
6.
a. Sports To hit (a volleyball) in a spike.
b. Football To throw (the ball) to the ground in a spike.
7. To render (a muzzleloading gun) useless by driving a spike into the vent.
8. To manifest or undergo a sudden increase in (something) followed by a sharp decrease: spike a high fever.
v.intr.
To manifest or undergo a sudden increase followed by a sharp decrease: Traffic to the website spiked after the scandal broke.
[Middle English, from Old Norse spīk.]
spik′er n.
spike 2
(spīk)n.
1. An ear of grain, as of wheat.
2. Botany A usually elongated, unbranched inflorescence with stalkless flowers arranged along an axis.
[Middle English, from Latin spīca.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
spike
(spaɪk)n
1. a sharp point
2. any sharp-pointed object, esp one made of metal
3. (Tools) a long metal nail
4. (General Physics) physics
a. a transient variation in voltage or current in an electric circuit
b. a graphical recording of this, such as one of the peaks on an electroencephalogram
5. informal a sudden increase
6. (Clothing & Fashion) (plural) shoes with metal projections on the sole and heel for greater traction, as used by athletes
7. (Zoology) the straight unbranched antler of a young deer
8. (Social Welfare) slang Brit another word for dosshouse
vb (mainly tr)
9. to secure or supply with or as with spikes
10. to render ineffective or block the intentions of; thwart
11. to impale on a spike
12. (Brewing) to add alcohol to (a drink)
13. (Journalism & Publishing) journalism to reject (a news story)
14. (Team Sports, other than specified) volleyball to hit (a ball) sharply downwards with an overarm motion from the front of one's own court into the opposing court
15. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) (formerly) to render (a cannon) ineffective by blocking its vent with a spike
16. (intr) informal to increase suddenly
17. spike someone's guns to thwart someone's purpose
[C13 spyk; related to Old English spīcing nail, Old Norse spīk splinter, Middle Low German spīker spike, Norwegian spīk spoke2, Latin spīca sharp point; see spike2]
spike
(spaɪk)n
1. (Botany) an inflorescence consisting of a raceme of sessile flowers, as in the gladiolus and sedges
2. (Botany) an ear of wheat, barley, or any other grass that has sessile spikelets
[C14: from Latin spīca ear of corn]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
spike1
(spaɪk)n., v. spiked, spik•ing. n.
1. a naillike fastener, 3 to 12 in. (7.6 to 30.5 cm) long and proportionately thicker than a common nail, for fastening together heavy timbers or railroad track.
2. something resembling such a nail, as a sharp-pointed metal projection on a weapon.
3. an abrupt increase or rise: a spike of electrical current.
4. one of a number of rectangular or naillike metal projections on the heel and sole of a shoe for improving traction, as of a baseball player or a runner.
5. spikes,
a. shoes having metal projections on the heel and sole.
b. shoes having spike heels.
6. a pointed portion of a continuous curve or graph, usu. rising above the adjacent portion.
7. the unbranched antler of a young deer.
8. a young mackerel.
9. Volleyball. an act or instance of spiking the ball.
10. Slang. a hypodermic needle.
v.t. 11. to fasten or secure with a spike or spikes.
12. to provide or set with a spike or spikes.
13. to pierce with or impale on a spike.
14. to set or stud with something suggesting spikes.
15. to injure (another player or a competitor) with the spikes of one's shoe, as in baseball.
16. Volleyball. to hit (a ball in the air) from a position close to the net sharply downward into the opponent's court.
17. Football. to throw (the ball) to the ground, esp. in celebration of a touchdown.
18. to render (a muzzle-loading gun) useless by driving a spike into the breech.
19. to suppress or thwart: to spike a rumor.
20. Informal.
v.i. a. to add alcoholic liquor to (a drink).
b. to add (a chemical, poison, or other substance) to.
21. to rise or increase sharply (often fol. by up): Interest rates have spiked up.
[1300–50 < Old Norse spīkr nail; akin to Middle Low German spīker nail]
spik′er, n.
spike2
(spaɪk)n.
1. an ear, as of wheat or other grain.
2. an elongated flower cluster in which the flowers are arranged along an unbranched stalk.
[1350–1400; < Latin spīca]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
spike
(spīk)1. An ear of grain, such as wheat.
2. A long cluster of stalkless flowers, as in the gladiolus.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
spike
- pricket - A candlestick with a spike for holding up the candle (or the spike itself).
- barb - As any type of spike or projection, it is based on Latin barba, "beard"; it is also a piece of vertically pleated linen worn over or under the chin, as by nuns.
- brad - A small or thin wire nail, it is from Old Norse broddr, "spike."
- spike - Probably borrowed from Dutch spiker, "long sharp piece."
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
spike
Past participle: spiked
Gerund: spiking
| Imperative |
|---|
| spike |
| spike |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  spike - a transient variation in voltage or currentelectrical discharge - a discharge of electricity |
| 2. | spike - sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes; "spikes provide greater traction" climbing iron, crampon, crampoon, climber - an iron spike attached to the shoe to prevent slipping on ice when walking or climbing piton - a metal spike with a hole for a rope; mountaineers drive it into ice or rock to use as a hold pricket - a sharp metal spike to hold a candle shoe - footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material sports equipment - equipment needed to participate in a particular sport | |
| 3. | spike - fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn corn, Indian corn, maize, Zea mays - tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times mealie - an ear of corn fruit - the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant | |
| 4. | spike - (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis inflorescence - the flowering part of a plant or arrangement of flowers on a stalk spadix - the fleshy axis of a spike often surrounded by a spathe | |
| 5. | spike - a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline; "the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor" rise - a growth in strength or number or importance | |
| 6. |  spike - a very high narrow heel on women's shoesheel - the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation | |
| 7. | spike - each of the sharp points on the soles of athletic shoes to prevent slipping (or the shoes themselves); "the second baseman sharpened his spikes before every game"; "golfers' spikes damage the putting greens" gaff - a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock point - sharp end; "he stuck the point of the knife into a tree"; "he broke the point of his pencil" | |
| 8. | spike - a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur) projection - any structure that branches out from a central support | |
| 9. | spike - a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal); "one of the spikes impaled him" implement - instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end | |
| 10. | spike - any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object; "the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order" holding device - a device for holding something | |
| 11. | spike - a large stout nail; "they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie" nail - a thin pointed piece of metal that is hammered into materials as a fastener | |
| Verb | 1. | spike - stand in the way of |
| 2. |  spike - pierce with a sharp stake or point; "impale a shrimp on a skewer"pin - pierce with a pin; "pin down the butterfly" spear - pierce with a spear; "spear fish" | |
| 3. | spike - secure with spikes | |
| 4. | spike - bring forth a spike or spikes; "my hyacinths and orchids are spiking now" develop - grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment; "A flower developed on the branch"; "The country developed into a mighty superpower"; "The embryo develops into a fetus"; "This situation has developed over a long time" | |
| 5. | spike - add alcohol to (beverages); "the punch is spiked!" cookery, cooking, preparation - the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat; "cooking can be a great art"; "people are needed who have experience in cookery"; "he left the preparation of meals to his wife" | |
| 6. | spike - manifest a sharp increase; "the voltage spiked" increase - become bigger or greater in amount; "The amount of work increased" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
spike
noun
verb
1. drug, lace, dope, cut, contaminate, adulterate drinks spiked with tranquillizers
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
مِسْمارنُتوء مِسْماري
bodechřebhrotšpunt
pigspidstopaks
piikkitähkä
fleinn, broddurgaddur
スパイクスパイク靴牡鹿穂穂状花序
dygliuotumasvinutė
dzegulisnaglaradzesmailetapa
konica
spike
[spaɪk]A. N
1. (= point) → punta f; (= metal rod) → pincho m; (= stake) → estaca f; (= tool) → escarpia f; (on railing) → barrote m; (on sports shoes) → clavo m
2. (Zool) [of hedgehog etc] → púa f
4. (Bot) → espiga f
5. spikes (Sport) → zapatillas fpl con clavos
B. VT
2. (= stop) [+ rumour] → acabar con; (= thwart) [+ plan etc] → frustrar
to spike sb's guns → poner trabas a los planes de algn
to spike sb's guns → poner trabas a los planes de algn
3. a spiked drink (with added alcohol) → una bebida con alcohol añadido de extranjis; (drugged) una bebida a la que le han echado algo, como un somnífero, droga, etc.
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
spike
[ˈspaɪk] vt (= add drug to) [+ drink] → trafiquer spikes
npl (= shoes) (for athletics, golf) → chaussures fpl à pointes; (for football, rugby) → chaussures fpl à crampons
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
spike
n
(on wall, railing, helmet etc) → Spitze f; (= nail) → Nagel m; (on plant) → Stachel m; (on shoe, tyre etc) → Spike m; (for receipts, wastepaper etc) → Dorn m; spike heel → Pfennigabsatz m ? also spikes
(Bot) → Ähre f
(Elec) → Spannungsspitze f
(= hair) → (Igel)schnitt m
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
spike
[spaɪk]1. n
c. (Elec) → punta (di corrente)
2. vt (fig) to spike sb's guns → rompere le uova nel paniere a qn
a spiked drink (fam) → una bevanda corretta
a spiked drink (fam) → una bevanda corretta
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
spike
(spaik) noun1. a hard, thin, pointed object (of wood, metal etc). The fence had long spikes on top.
2. a pointed piece of metal attached to the sole of a shoe etc to prevent slipping.
spiked adjectiveˈspiky adjective
having spikes, or points similar to spikes. the spiky coat of a hedgehog.
ˈspikiness nounKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
spike
n. espiga; [in a graphic] cresta o elevación brusca.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012