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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



114 words match “SPIKE”

SPIKE n. 9 definitions
hing resembling such a nail in shape. He wears on his head the corona radiata . . . ; the spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun. Addison.
SPIKEBILL n. 2 definitions
The hooded merganser.
SPIKED a.
Furnished or set with spikes, as corn; fastened with spikes; stopped with spikes. A youth, leaping over the spiked pales, . . . was caught by those spikes. Wiseman.
SPIKEFISH n.
See Sailfish (a)
SPIKELET n.
A small or secondary spike; especially, one of the ultimate parts of the in florescence of grasses. See Illust. of Quaking grass.
SPIKENARD n. 2 definitions
nited States it is the Aralia racemosa, often called spignet, and used as a medicine. The spikenard of the ancients is the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a native of the Himalayan region. From its blackish roots a perfume for the hair is still prepared in India.
SPIKETAIL n.
The pintail duck. [Local, U.S.]
HANDSPIKE n.
A bar or lever, generally of wood, used in a windlass or capstan, for heaving anchor, and, in modified forms, for various purposes.
UNSPIKE v.
To remove a spike from, as from the vent of a cannon.
ADDER'S-TONGUE n.
A genus of ferns (Ophioglossum), whose seeds are produced on a spike resembling a serpent's tongue.
ANKUS n.
An elephant goad with a sharp spike and hook, resembling a short-handled boat hook. [India] Kipling.
ASPIC n.
A European species of lavender (Lavandula spica), which produces a volatile oil. See Spike.
BERGSTOCK n.
A long pole with a spike at the end, used in climbing mountains; an alpenstock.
BROB n.
A peculiar brad-shaped spike, to be driven alongside the end of an abutting timber to prevent its slipping.
BROOM RAPE n.
of Europe and Asia. They are destitute of chlorophyll, have scales instead of leaves, and spiked flowers, and grow attached to the roots of other plants, as furze, clover, flax, wild carrot, etc. The name is sometimes applied to other plants related to this genus, as Aphyllon uniflorumand A. Ludovicianum.…
CAPSTAN n.
perly.] Capstan bar, one of the long bars or levers by which the capstan is worked; a handspike.. -- To pawl the capstan, to drop the pawls so that they will catch in the notches of the pawl ring, and prevent the capstan from turning back. -- To rig the capstan, to prepare the for use, by putting the bars in the sock…
CAT-TAIL n.
growing in marshes, with long, glat leaves, and having its flowers in a close cylindrical spike at the top of the stem. The leaves are frequently used for seating chairs, making mats, etc. See Catkin.
CHEVAL-DE-FRISE n.
A piece of timber or an iron barrel traversed with iron-pointed spikes or spears, five or six feet long, used to defend a passage, stop a breach, or impede the advance of cavalry, etc. Obstructions of chain, boom, and cheval-de-frise. W. Irving.
CLOY v.
To spike, as a cannon. [Obs.] Johnson.
COCKSCOMB n.
A plant (Celosia cristata), of many varieties, cultivated for its broad, fantastic spikes of brilliant flowers; -- sometimes called garden cockscomb. Also the Pedicularis, or lousewort, the Rhinanthus Crista-galli, and the Onobrychis Crista-galli.
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