Pike

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /paɪk/

Definitions

1. A weapon that consists of a long shaft with a pointed metal tip used historically in battle ; a predatory freshwater fish known for its elongated body and sharp teeth ; a road or path with a steep incline often found in hilly areas
2. A pole weapon with a sharp end once commonly wielded by soldiers ; a fish species inhabiting lakes and rivers noted for its size and hunting ability ; a sharply sloped route or roadway generally challenging to traverse on foot or by vehicle
3. A spear-like armament designed for thrusting at enemies in combat ; a large fish recognized for ambush hunting and slender form ; a steeply rising roadway or trail which may be difficult to climb

Etymology: Long before it named a fish or a steep road, "pike" meant a sharp point. Old English "pīc" described a pointed object, and the same root gave Old French "pic" and, through it, the long thrusting weapon soldiers carried. The English word for that weapon took its name from the point at its tip, not from the shaft. The fish comes from the same sense of "sharp point, spike". Its pointed jaws gave it the name, which is the likeliest explanation for why a river predator shares a word with a lance. The diving position, where the body is held straight and tapered, probably follows the same logic of a narrow, pointed shape. The road is a clipping of "turnpike", a toll road. Early turnpikes were often blocked by a spiked barrier that stayed in place until the toll was paid, so the word for the spike ended up naming the road itself.

Synonyms: spear, harpoon, goad