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spike

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The definition of a spike is a piece of something that is thick and long with a pointed and sharp end, usually made of metal.

(noun)

An example of a spike is a cleat on the bottom of a golf shoe.

To spike is defined as to secure or stab with a long, thick object with a sharp and pointed end or to add alcohol to a drink.

(verb)

An example of to spike is to secure a tent to the ground with a stake.
An example of to spike is to add vodka to the punch.

See spike in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a long, heavy nail
a sharp-pointed part or projection, usually slender and of metal, as along the top of an iron fence, etc.
any long, slender, pointed object, as the unbranched antler of a young deer
1. any of a number of sharp or pointed metal projections on the soles, and often on the heels, of shoes used for baseball, golf, track, etc. to prevent slipping
2. a pair of such shoes
3. a high, very thin heel on a woman's shoe
  also spike heel
☆ a young mackerel not more than six inches long
1. a transient wave or variation in potential difference that propagates along a nerve axon
2. a graphic recording or tracing of this, as any of the jagged peaks in an electroencephalogram
a sudden, rapid rise, as in blood pressure

Origin: ME < ON spīkr, a nail, spike, or < MDu & MLowG spīker, both ult. < IE base *(s)p(h)ei-, sharp, pointed splinter > spit, spoke, L spica, ear of grain, spina, spine

transitive verb spiked, spiking

to fasten or fit with or as with a spike or spikes
to mark, pierce, cut, etc. with a spike or spikes, or impale on a spike
to make (a cannon) unusable by driving a spike into the touchhole
to cause to rise suddenly and rapidly
to thwart, frustrate, or block (a scheme, etc.)
☆ Slang to add a substance, as a narcotic or other drug, to (a drink, food, etc.); specif., to add alcoholic liquor to (a drink)
Baseball to injure with the spikes on one's shoes
Football to throw (the football) to the ground, esp. in celebration of scoring a touchdown
☆ Volleyball to leap into the air while close to the net and smash (the ball) into the opponents' court

intransitive verb

to rise suddenly and rapidly

noun

an ear of grain
an unbranched flower cluster with stalkless flowers attached directly to the central axis

Origin: ME spik < L spica: see spike

Related Forms:

spiked adjective

See spike in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A long, thick, sharp-pointed piece of wood or metal.
b. A heavy nail.
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. A thorn or spine.
d. A tuft of hair waxed or twisted so as to project in a stiff point.
e. Slang A hypodermic needle.
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.
spikes A pair of spike heels.
An unbranched antler of a young deer.
A young mackerel of small size, usually 15 centimeters (6 inches) or less in length.
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.
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.

transitive verb spiked spiked, spik·ing, spikes

a. To secure or provide with a spike.
b. To shape into spikes.
To impale, pierce, or injure with a spike.
To injure with spiked shoes, especially when sliding in baseball.
To put an end to; terminate: spike a rumor.
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 barbituates.
c. To add flavor or spice to: “several herb vinegars, including one . . . spiked with colorful chive blossoms” (New England Living).
d. To add excitement or vitality to: spiked the speech with many jokes.
a. Sports To hit (a volleyball) in a spike.
b. Football To throw (the ball) down in a spike.
To render (a muzzleloading gun) useless by driving a spike into the vent.
To manifest (a sharp increase in body temperature): spike a high fever.