From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
spike
n 1: a transient variation in voltage or current
2: sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a
shoe worn by athletes; "spikes provide greater traction"
3: fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn [syn: ear,
spike, capitulum]
4: (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile
flowers on an unbranched axis
5: a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline; "the seismograph
showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor"
6: a very high narrow heel on women's shoes [syn: spike heel,
spike, stiletto 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"
8: a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall
(or a dinosaur)
9: a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal); "one of
the spikes impaled him"
10: any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed
object; "the spike pierced the receipts and held them in
order" [syn: spike, spindle]
11: a large stout nail; "they used spikes to fasten the rails to
a railroad tie"
v 1: stand in the way of
2: pierce with a sharp stake or point; "impale a shrimp on a
skewer" [syn: transfix, impale, empale, spike]
3: secure with spikes
4: bring forth a spike or spikes; "my hyacinths and orchids are
spiking now" [syn: spike, spike out]
5: add alcohol to (beverages); "the punch is spiked!" [syn:
spike, lace, fortify]
6: manifest a sharp increase; "the voltage spiked"