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spike1
—spikelike, adj./spuyk/, n., v., spiked, spiking.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; a stiff, sharp-pointed piece or part: to set spikes in the top of a cement wall.3. a sharp-pointed piece of metal set with the point outward, as on a weapon.4. an abrupt increase or rise: a chart showing a spike of unusual activity in the stock market; a sudden spike of electrical current.5. 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.6. spikes, a pair of shoes having such projections.7. the unbranched antler of a young deer.9. a pointed portion of a continuous curve or graph, usually rising above the adjacent portion: a spike in the value of the voltage.10. Volleyball. a hard smash, hit close to the net, almost straight down into the opponent's court.11. Slang. a hypodermic needle.v.t.12. to fasten or secure with a spike or spikes.13. to provide or set with a spike or spikes.14. to pierce with or impale on a spike.15. to set or stud with something suggesting spikes.16. to injure (another player or a competitor) with the spikes of one's shoe, as in baseball.17. 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.19. to render (a muzzle-loading gun) useless by driving a spike into the touchhole.20. to make ineffective; frustrate or thwart: to spike a rumor; to spike someone's chances for promotion.21. Informal.a. to add alcoholic liquor to (a drink).22. Journalism Slang. to refuse (a story) by or as if by placing on a spindle.v.i.23. to rise or increase sharply (often fol. by up): Interest rates spiked up last week.spike2/spuyk/, n.1. an ear, as of wheat or other grain.2. Bot. an inflorescence in which the flowers are without a stalk, or apparently so, along an elongated, unbranched axis. See illus. under inflorescence.[1350-1400; ME; prob. special use of SPIKE1, influenced by L spica ear of grain]
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Universalium. 2010.