Spike1  —n. 1 a sharp point. B pointed piece of metal, esp. The top of an iron railing. 2 a metal point in the sole of a running-shoe to prevent slipping. B (in pl.) Spiked running-shoes. 3 pointed metal rod used for filing rejected news items. 4 large nail. —v. (-king) 1 put spikes on or into. 2 fix on a spike. 3 colloq. A lace (a drink) with alcohol etc. B contaminate with something added. 4 colloq. Reject (a newspaper story).  spike a person's guns spoil his or her plans. [low german or dutch: related to *spoke1]