spike

• Substantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen, darunter eine spitz zulaufende Erhebung, ein plötzlicher starker Anstieg, eine Nagelart, ein Blütenstand in der Botanik und Sportschuhe mit Stollen.

A noun with multiple meanings, including a sharp-pointed projection, a sudden sharp increase, a type of nail, an inflorescence in botany, and a shoe with spikes for sports.

1. Sharp projectionB1formal

   A thin, pointed piece of metal, wood, or other material that sticks out from a surface.

   Spitze

   • The fence had iron spikes along the top to deter intruders.
   • He accidentally stepped on a metal spike.
   • The dinosaur's tail was covered in sharp spikes.

   Synonymebarbpointprongspurtine

2. Large nailB1formal

   A large, thick nail used for heavy-duty construction.

   Großer Nagel

   • They used railroad spikes to secure the tracks.
   • The carpenter hammered a spike into the wooden beam.
   • Spikes are often used in building foundations.

3. Athletic shoe spikeB1informal

   A sharp point on the sole of a sports shoe, or the shoe itself, designed to provide grip.

   Spike

   • He wore his spikes for the track race.
   • The athlete's spikes dug into the ground for better traction.
   • She bought new spikes for the baseball season.

   Synonymecleatstud

4. High heelB2informal

   A very high, thin heel on a woman's shoe.

   Pfennigabsatz

   • She wore elegant stiletto spikes to the party.
   • The model walked confidently in her spike heels.
   • Spike heels can be difficult to walk in on soft ground.

   Synonymespike heelstiletto

5. Sudden increaseB2formal

   A sharp, temporary rise in a quantity, such as voltage, price, or activity, often followed by a rapid decline.

   Plötzlicher Anstieg

   • The power grid experienced a voltage spike during the storm.
   • There was a spike in oil prices last month.
   • The graph shows a sharp spike in website traffic.

   Synonymeboostjumpleaprisesurgeupsurge

   Antonymedeclinedecreasedipdropfallplunge

6. Plant inflorescenceC1formalscientific

   A type of flower cluster where flowers are attached directly to a central stem without stalks.

   Ähre

   • The plant produces a dense spike of purple flowers.
   • Botanists studied the spike of the wheat plant.
   • The inflorescence is a spike with sessile flowers.

7. Corn earB1informal

   The fruiting head of a cereal plant, especially corn, where the kernels grow.

   Maiskolben

   • The farmer harvested the corn spikes in late summer.
   • Each spike of corn was full of golden kernels.
   • The field was filled with tall spikes of maize.

   Synonymecobearhead

• Verb, das das Versehen mit einer Spitze oder das plötzliche starke Ansteigen von etwas bezeichnet; im Sport auch für einen kräftigen Schlag von oben auf den Ball.

A verb used to indicate the act of adding a sharp point or increasing something sharply, or in sports, to hit the ball forcefully downward.

1. Obstruct or preventB2informal

   To block, hinder, or stop something from progressing or succeeding.

   Blockieren

   • The new regulations spiked our plans for expansion.
   • His injury spiked any chance of winning the championship.
   • The committee spiked the proposal due to budget concerns.

   Synonymeblockfoilfrustratepreventquashscotchsquashstopthwart

   Antonymeadvanceaidassistfurtherhelppromote

2. Pierce with a sharp pointB2formal

   To impale or stab something with a sharp, pointed object.

   Aufspießen

   • The hunter spiked the animal's hide with a spear.
   • She spiked the document onto the bulletin board with a pin.
   • The worker spiked the ground with a metal rod to test the soil.

   Synonymeimpalepiercepunctureskewerspearstabsticktransfix

3. Secure with spikesC1formal

   To fasten or attach something using spikes or similar pointed fasteners.

   Mit Spikes befestigen

   • The railway workers spiked the rails to the wooden ties.
   • They spiked the fence posts into the ground for stability.
   • The climber spiked the rope into the ice wall.

4. Produce spikes (botany)C1formal

   To develop or produce a spike-shaped flower cluster or inflorescence.

   Ähren bilden

   • The lavender plant spiked in early summer.
   • The wheat began to spike after the rain.
   • The garden flowers spiked beautifully this season.

5. Add alcohol to beveragesB2informal

   To secretly add alcohol, especially spirits, to a drink.

   Alkohol heimlich beimischen

   • He spiked the punch with vodka at the party.
   • Someone spiked her soda without her knowledge.
   • The bartender spiked the cocktail with extra rum.

   Synonymedoctorfortifylace

6. Increase sharplyB2formal

   To experience a sudden and significant rise in value, quantity, or intensity.

   Schlagartig ansteigen

   • The stock price spiked after the announcement.
   • Temperatures spiked to record highs this summer.
   • Demand for the product spiked during the holiday season.

   Synonymejumpleaprocketshoot upskyrocketsoarsurge

   Antonymecrashdeclinedecreasedipdropfallplungetumble

Phrasal-Variantenspike out