SPIKE

A transient variation in voltage or current

Sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes

Example: "Spikes provide greater traction"

Fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn

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

A sharp rise followed by a sharp decline

Example: "The seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor"

A very high narrow heel on women's shoes

Each of the sharp points on the soles of athletic shoes to prevent slipping (or the shoes themselves)

Example: "The second baseman sharpened his spikes before every game"

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

A long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)

Example: "One of the spikes impaled him"

Any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object

Example: "The spike pierced the receipts and held them in order"

A large stout nail

Example: "They used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie"