pike
pike Lexical Profile
pike Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, carnivorous freshwater fish of the genus Esox (especially the northern pike, Esox lucius), native to northern hemisphere lakes and rivers and characterized by an elongated body and a long, flattened snout lined with sharp teeth.
"The angler patiently cast his lure into the weedy shallows, hoping to hook a northern pike."
American A major highway, expressway, or toll road (originally a shortened form of turnpike).
"Heavy commuter traffic backed up for miles along the pike during the Friday evening rush hour."
A historical infantry weapon consisting of a sharp metal spearhead mounted on a very long wooden shaft, widely used in European warfare from the late Middle Ages until the early eighteenth century.
"The museum exhibit featured a row of sixteenth-century pikes used by foot soldiers to defend against cavalry."
The firm, white, flaky flesh of the pike fish, prepared and eaten as food, especially in traditional European cuisine.
"The lakeside bistro is famous for its poached pike served with a rich herb butter sauce."
A diving or gymnastic position in which the body is bent sharply at the hips with the legs kept straight and the toes pointed.
"The diver executed a flawless forward somersault in the pike position before entering the water."
• verb
To bend the body at the hips while keeping the legs straight (in gymnastics or diving).
"She piked gracefully at the peak of her vault before extending her body for the landing."
Australian To withdraw from a planned activity, commitment, or challenge at the last moment; to back out (also used in New Zealand).
"He promised to join us for the early morning hike, but he piked when the alarm went off."
• Rhymes for pike
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The fish and the historical weapon senses both derive from Middle English words meaning a sharp point or pick (from Old English pīc and Middle French pique), referring to the fish's long, pointed jaw and the weapon's spiked head. The road sense is an aphetic shortening of 'turnpike', originally a spiked barrier swung across a toll road.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.