Spike

Spike Spike, n. [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D. spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. sp[=i]k; all perhaps from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. {Spine}.] 1. A sort of very large nail; also, a piece of pointed iron set with points upward or outward. [1913 Webster]

2. Anything resembling such a nail in shape. [1913 Webster]

He wears on his head the corona radiata . . .; the spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

3. An ear of corn or grain. [1913 Webster]

4. (Bot.) A kind of flower cluster in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis. [1913 Webster]

{Spike grass} (Bot.), either of two tall perennial American grasses ({Uniola paniculata}, and {U. latifolia}) having broad leaves and large flattened spikelets.

{Spike rush}. (Bot.) See under {Rush}.

{Spike shell} (Zo["o]l.), any pteropod of the genus {Styliola} having a slender conical shell.

{Spike team}, three horses, or a horse and a yoke of oxen, harnessed together, a horse leading the oxen or the span. [U.S.] [1913 Webster]