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spike

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: spike

1
 nv
a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)
pierce with a sharp stake or point
2
 nv
a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline
manifest a sharp increase
3
 nv
(botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
bring forth a spike or spikes
4
 v
stand in the way of
5
 v
add alcohol to (beverages)
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: spike
1

n a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)

“one of the spikes impaled him”
Type of:
implement
instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end

n a large stout nail

“they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie”
Type of:
nail
a thin pointed piece of metal that is hammered into materials as a fastener

n a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)

Type of:
projection
any structure that branches out from a central support

n sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes

“spikes provide greater traction”
Types:
climber, climbing iron, crampon, crampoon
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
Type of:
sports equipment
equipment needed to participate in a particular sport

n 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”
Types:
gaff
a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock
Type of:
point
sharp end

n a very high narrow heel on women's shoes

Synonyms:
spike heel, stiletto heel
Type of:
heel
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

n any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object

“the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order”
Synonyms:
spindle
Type of:
holding device
a device for holding something

v pierce with a sharp stake or point

Synonyms:
empale, impale, transfix
Types:
pin
pierce with a pin
spear
pierce with a spear
skewer, spit
drive a skewer through
Type of:
pierce, thrust
penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument

v secure with spikes

Type of:
fasten, fix, secure
cause to be firmly attached
2

n a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline

“the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor”
Type of:
rise
a growth in strength or number or importance

n a transient variation in voltage or current

Type of:
electrical discharge
a discharge of electricity

v manifest a sharp increase

“the voltage spiked”
Type of:
increase
become bigger or greater in amount
3

n (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis

Type of:
inflorescence
the flowering part of a plant or arrangement of flowers on a stalk

n fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn

Synonyms:
capitulum, ear
Types:
mealie
an ear of corn
Type of:
fruit
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

v bring forth a spike or spikes

“my hyacinths and orchids are spiking now”
Synonyms:
spike out
Type of:
develop
grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment
4

v stand in the way of

Type of:
banish, bar, relegate
expel, as if by official decree
5

v add alcohol to (beverages)

“the punch is spiked!”
Synonyms:
fortify, lace
Type of:
alter, change, modify
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
Launch
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