1. A sharp rise followed by a sharp decline
   "the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor"
    
2. A long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)
   "one of the spikes impaled him"
    
3. A large stout nail
   "they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railway tie"
    
4. Any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object
   "the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order";
   - spindle
    
5. A sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)
   "The iron fence was topped with spikes to deter intruders"; "The stegosaurus had a row of spikes along its back"
    
6. Sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes
   "spikes provide greater traction"
    
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"
    
8. A very high narrow heel on women's shoes
   "She struggled to walk on the cobblestone street in her spike heels";
   - spike heel, stiletto heel, stiletto
    
9. A transient variation in voltage or current
   "The power surge caused a voltage spike in the electrical system"
    
10. (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
    "The lavender plant produced fragrant purple spikes"
     
11. Fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn
    "The wheat spikes were golden and ready for harvest";
    - ear, capitulum

1. Pierce with a sharp stake or point
   "spike a shrimp on a skewer";
   - transfix, impale, empale
    
2. Secure with spikes
   "The railway workers spiked the rails to the ties"
    
3. Manifest a sharp increase
   "the voltage spiked"
    
4. Bring forth a spike or spikes
   "my hyacinths and orchids are spiking now"; "The plants spiked out in the spring";
   - spike out
    
5. Stand in the way of
   "The economic downturn spiked the company's plans for expansion"
    
6. Add alcohol or drugs to a drink or food, typically secretly or maliciously
   "Someone had spiked the punch with vodka"; "The drinks were spiked with a sedative"

Derived forms: spiking, spikes, spiked

Type of: banish, bar, develop, electrical discharge, fasten, fix, fruit, heel, holding device, implement, increase, inflorescence, nail, pierce, point, projection, relegate, rise, secure, sports equipment, thrust

Part of: corn, Indian corn, maize, shoe, Zea mays

Encyclopedia: Spike, Michigan