spike
noun
1. a transient variation in voltage or current
Definition categories: event
2. sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes
- spikes provide greater traction
Definition categories: man–made
3. fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn
Similar word(s): capitulum, ear
Definition categories: plant, fruit
4. (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
Definition categories: plant, inflorescence
5. a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline
- the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor
Definition categories: event, rise
6. a very high narrow heel on women's shoes
Definition categories: man–made, heel
7. 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
Definition categories: man–made, point
8. a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)
Definition categories: man–made, projection
9. a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)
- one of the spikes impaled him
Definition categories: man–made, implement
10. any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object
- the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order
Similar word(s): spindle
Definition categories: man–made
11. a large stout nail
- they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie
Definition categories: man–made, nail
Sentences with spike as a noun:
- oil of spike
verb
1. stand in the way of
Definition categories: social, banish, bar, relegate
2. pierce with a sharp stake or point
Similar word(s): empale, impale, transfix
Definition categories: contact, pierce, thrust
3. secure with spikes
Definition categories: contact, fasten, fix, secure
4. bring forth a spike or spikes
Definition categories: change, develop
5. add alcohol to (beverages)
- the punch is spiked!
Similar word(s): fortify, lace
Definition categories: change, alter, modify
6. manifest a sharp increase
- the voltage spiked
Definition categories: change, increase
Sentences with spike as a verb:
- She spiked my lemonade with vodka!
- The water sample to be tested has been spiked with arsenic, antimony, mercury, and lead in quantities commonly found in industrial effluents.
- Traffic accidents spiked in December when there was ice on the roads.
- to spike down planks