Spike \Spike\, n. [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D.
   spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. sp[imac]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.
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   2. Anything resembling such a nail in shape.
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            He wears on his head the corona radiata . . .; the
            spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun.
                                                  --Addison.
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   3. An ear of corn or grain.
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   4. (Bot.) A kind of flower cluster in which sessile flowers
      are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis.
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   Spike grass (Bot.), either of two tall perennial American
      grasses (Uniola paniculata, and Uniola latifolia)
      having broad leaves and large flattened spikelets.

   Spike rush. (Bot.) See under Rush.

   Spike shell (Zool.), 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.
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