Piikki

Piikki is a Finnish noun with several related meanings. Its core sense is a sharp projection or point on an object or organism—for example a thorn on a plant, a spike or needle, or a protruding prong on hardware or tools. The term covers both natural projections and artificial ones and is used for anything that ends in a pointed tip.

In a figurative sense, piikki denotes a sudden, sharp increase or peak in a measured quantity. This usage is common in statistics, economics, meteorology, and medicine. Examples include a fever spike or a spike in prices or traffic.

In technical and everyday language, piikki also refers to a pointed feature on equipment or structures, such as a spike used for fastening, a protective spike, or the sharpened tip of a tool. The word emphasizes the notion of sharpness and projection.

Etymology: piikki originates from Finnish, derived from a root meaning sharp or pointed; related forms exist in other Finnic languages. The plural is piikit.