a 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.
verb (used with object),spiked,spik·ing.
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.
JournalismSlang. to refuse (a story) by or as if by placing on a spindle.
verb (used without object),spiked,spik·ing.
to rise or increase sharply (often followed by up): Interest rates spiked up last week.
Idioms for spike
spike someone's guns. gun1 (def. 16).
Origin of spike
1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English spik(e) (noun), from Old Norse spīkr “nail”; akin to Old Norse spīk, Middle Low German spīker “nail”
It’s clear that there’s a big spike in unidentified search terms starting September 2nd.
How much does Google’s new search term filtering affect ad spend transparency? Here’s how to find out|Frederick Vallaeys|September 16, 2020|Search Engine Land
In July, Disney World reopened amid a spike in Florida coronavirus cases.
How the coronavirus outbreak is roiling the film and entertainment industries|Alissa Wilkinson|September 11, 2020|Vox
Some other potential coronavirus vaccines now in testing use human adenoviruses to carry the spike protein.
Here’s what pausing the AstraZeneca-Oxford coronavirus vaccine trial really means|Aimee Cunningham|September 9, 2020|Science News
Fryer said he was also struck to find that investigations not sparked by viral incidents also did not produce spikes in violent crime.
What Can Mayors Do When the Police Stop Doing Their Jobs?|by Alec MacGillis|September 3, 2020|ProPublica
This is why in the lab, neural spikes are usually recorded offline and processed using computers, rather than with on-board electronics.
Neuralink’s Wildly Anticipated New Brain Implant: the Hype vs. the Science|Shelly Fan|September 1, 2020|Singularity Hub
In a famous rant, Spike Lee blamed hipsters for the gentrication of his old neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Why Do We Hate Hipsters So F'ing Much?|Ted Gioia|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On Friday evening, a crowd of Hollywood luminaries gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Spike Lee classic.
Watch Barack and Michelle Obama’s Video Dedication to Spike Lee’s ‘Do the Right Thing’|Marlow Stern|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“So Spike, thank you for helping me impress Michelle, and thank you for telling a powerful story,” added President Obama.
Watch Barack and Michelle Obama’s Video Dedication to Spike Lee’s ‘Do the Right Thing’|Marlow Stern|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both shows are still on the air (although Cops has since been sold to the Spike Network).
‘Silicon Valley’ and the Return of Stoner Television|Rich Goldstein|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Spike Lee and The New York Times' A.O. Scott disagree on this.
Spike Lee Blasts The New York Times’ Story on Brooklyn Gentrification in Fiery Op-Ed|Marlow Stern|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was almost the only thing he had said since hearing the announcement, after Spike had clapped him on the back with such force.
Baseball Joe at Yale|Lester Chadwick
So saying, her new boarder smiled and nodded and, following Spike out into the hallway, was gone.
The Definite Object|Jeffery Farnol
Spike now saw this well planned project to avoid death, and regretted his own remissness in not making sure of Jack.
Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII No. 1 January 1848|Various
Another pause, while Spike stands frowning in perplexed thought.
The Definite Object|Jeffery Farnol
With the buoy for a guide, Spike had no difficulty in finding the spot where the schooner lay.
Jack Tier or The Florida Reef|James Fenimore Cooper
British Dictionary definitions for spike (1 of 2)
spike1
/ (spaɪk) /
noun
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
Britishslang another word for dosshouse
verb(mainly tr)
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)
journalismto reject (a news story)
volleyballto 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 gunsto thwart someone's purpose
Word Origin for spike
C13 spyk; related to Old English spīcing nail, Old Norse spīk splinter, Middle Low German spīker spike, Norwegian spīk spoke ², Latin spīca sharp point; see spike ²
British Dictionary definitions for spike (2 of 2)
spike2
/ (spaɪk) /
nounbotany
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
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.