a transient variation in voltage or current

any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object; the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order

[ Syn: spindle ]

a large stout nail; they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie'

sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes; spikes provide greater traction'

fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn

[ Syn: ear , capitulum ]

(botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis

a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline; the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor'

a very high narrow heel on womens shoes

[ Syn: spike heel , stiletto heel ]

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'

a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)

a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal); one of the spikes impaled him'

stand in the way of

pierce with a sharp stake or point; impale a shrimp on a skewer

[ Syn: transfix , impale , empale ]

secure with spikes

bring forth a spike or spikes; my hyacinths and orchids are spiking now

[ Syn: spike out ]

add alcohol to (beverages); the punch is spiked!

[ Syn: lace , fortify ]

manifest a sharp increase; the voltage spiked'