Antonyms for spike

Grammar : Verb

Spell : spahyk

Phonetic Transcription : spaɪk

Definition of spike

Origin : "large nail," mid-14c., perhaps from Old Norse spik "splinter" (related to Old English spicing "large nail"), from Proto-Germanic *spikaz (cf. Middle Dutch spicher, Dutch spijker "nail," Old English spaca, Old High German speihha "spoke"), from PIE root *spei- "sharp point" (cf. Latin spica "ear of corn," spina "thorn, prickle, backbone," and perhaps pinna "pin" (see pin (n.)); Greek spilas "rock, cliff;" Lettish spile "wooden fork;" Lithuanian speigliai "thorns," spitna "tongue of a buckle," Old English spitu "spit").
But based on gender difficulties in the Germanic words, OED casts doubt on this whole derivation and says the English word may be a borrowing of Latin spica (see spike (n.2)), from the same root. Slang meaning "needle" is from 1923. Meaning "pointed stud in athletic shoes" is from 1832. Electrical sense of "pulse of short duration" is from 1935.

verb pierce

Example sentences :

"I have been a very wicked man, I fear," said Spike, earnestly.
Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII. No. 3. March 1848 » by Various

In the midst of one of these revolting paroxysms Spike breathed his last.
Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII. No. 3. March 1848 » by Various

Spike had a conscience that had become hard as iron by means of trade.
Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol. XXXII No. 2. February 1848 » by Various

Why did Capt. Spike abandon you, Jack; you have never told me that.
Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol. XXXII No. 2. February 1848 » by Various

But Spike neglected no precaution that experience or skill could suggest.
Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII No. 1 January 1848 » by Various

Both believed that they might follow wherever Spike dared to lead.
Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII No. 1 January 1848 » by Various

Biddy arose from her knees, just as Spike withdrew his eyes from his pursuers.
Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII No. 1 January 1848 » by Various

"There's the man I've picked," announced Tom, pointing to Spike.
Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the Great North Woods » by Jessie Graham Flower

We figured the babies to come in about three months—right, Spike?
Extract from : « PRoblem » by Alan Edward Nourse

What if the Spike Horns of the year before had no more horns?
Extract from : « The Tale of Nimble Deer » by Arthur Scott Bailey

Synonyms for spike

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019