spike

Spike is a term with multiple meanings across different contexts. As a common noun, a spike is a sharp projection or a pointed end on a surface, or a metal fastener with a sharp point. As a verb, to spike can mean to sharpen or to deposit a sudden surge, such as a spike in demand or a spike in blood sugar, and colloquially to spike a drink means to add a substance secretly.

In biology and medicine, spike can refer to the spike protein that decorates the surface of certain viruses, most notably coronaviruses, where the spike glycoprotein mediates binding to host cell receptors and entry. It is a primary target for vaccines and antibody therapies. The term spike is also used more generally to describe sudden increases in data or incidence in epidemiology or finance.

In botany, a spike is a type of inflorescence with flowers attached directly to the main stem without stalks, as in grasses; the edible spike of cereals is a common example. In anatomy or zoology, spines or spikes refer to any sharp, stiff outgrowth on an animal or plant.

Several people use Spike as a given name or nickname, including film director Spike Lee and comedian Spike Milligan. In fiction, Spike may refer to characters such as Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop, Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or the dragon Spike in My Little Pony. Spike TV was a cable channel launched in 2003, later rebranded as the Paramount Network.

Other uses include spikes in sports (a spike in volleyball), engineering components, or a segment on graphs and data visualization. The term’s meaning is highly context-dependent.