spike
spahyk
- n a transient variation in voltage or current
- n sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes
spikes provide greater traction - n fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn
- n (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
- n a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline
the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor - n a very high narrow heel on women's shoes
- n 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 - n a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)
- n a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)
one of the spikes impaled him - n any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object
the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order - n a large stout nail
they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie - v stand in the way of
- v pierce with a sharp stake or point
- v secure with spikes
- v bring forth a spike or spikes
- v add alcohol to (beverages)
the punch is spiked! - v manifest a sharp increase
the voltage spiked
- Wherever there's a 20% spike, as Boston saw not long ago, he says, there's "a better than two-to-one chance homicides will fall the next year.