Search results for 'spike':

spike¹ noun 1 a any thin sharp point; b a pointed piece of metal, eg one of several on railings. 2 a one of several pointed metal pegs that are set into the soles of running-shoes; b (spikes) a pair of running-shoes with spiked soles. 3 a large metal nail. 4 drug-taking slang a hypodermic needle. verb (spiked, spiking) 1 to strike, pierce or impale with a pointed object. 2 colloq a to make (a drink) stronger by adding alcohol or extra alcohol; b to lace (a drink) with a drug. spiked adj. spike someone's guns colloq to spoil their plans.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon spicing.

spike² noun, bot a pointed flower-head, such as that of the hyacinth, plantain, etc, which consists of a cluster of small individual flowers growing together around, or along one side of, an axis, with the youngest flowers at the tip and the oldest ones nearest the base.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c in this sense; 13c, meaning 'ear of corn': from Latin spica ear of corn.