spike

• Nom avec plusieurs sens, notamment une pointe ou une protubérance acérée, une augmentation soudaine et brutale, un type de clou, une inflorescence allongée en botanique, et des chaussures à crampons pour le sport.

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.

   Pointe

   • 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.

   Synonymesbarbpointprongspurtine

2. Large nailB1formal

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

   Grand clou

   • 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.

   Crampon d'athlétisme

   • 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.

   Synonymescleatstud

4. High heelB2informal

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

   Talon aiguille

   • 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.

   Synonymesspike heelstiletto

5. Sudden increaseB2formal

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

   Pic soudain

   • 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.

   Synonymesboostjumpleaprisesurgeupsurge

   Antonymesdeclinedecreasedipdropfallplunge

6. Plant inflorescenceC1formalscientific

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

   Épi

   • 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.

   Épi (de céréale)

   • 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.

   Synonymescobearhead

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action d'ajouter une pointe ou une augmentation brusque de quelque chose, et dans le sport, pour un smash ou un coup violent vers le bas.

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.

   entraver, faire échouer

   • 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.

   Synonymesblockfoilfrustratepreventquashscotchsquashstopthwart

   Antonymesadvanceaidassistfurtherhelppromote

2. Pierce with a sharp pointB2formal

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

   Empaler avec une pointe

   • 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.

   Synonymesimpalepiercepunctureskewerspearstabsticktransfix

3. Secure with spikesC1formal

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

   Fixer avec des pointes

   • 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.

   produire des épis

   • 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.

   alcooliser subrepticement

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

   Synonymesdoctorfortifylace

6. Increase sharplyB2formal

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

   augmenter brusquement

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

   Synonymesjumpleaprocketshoot upskyrocketsoarsurge

   Antonymescrashdeclinedecreasedipdropfallplungetumble

Variantes phrasalspike out