| 释义 |
pikestaff|ˈpaɪkstɑːf, -æf|
[In senses 1 and 2, f. pike n.1 1, 2 + staff: cf. ON. píkstafr (13th c.), mod.Norw. pīkstav, MSw. pikstaff; in sense 3, f. pike n.5 Hence two distinct words, but often not capable of separation, esp. in the phrases in 4.]
1. A staff or walking-stick with a metal point at the lower end like an alpenstock. Now only Sc. Sometimes app. the wooden handle of a pick.
1356in Riley Mem. Lond. (1868) 284 (Lett.-Bk. G. lf. 45), Pikstef. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. vi. 105 My plow-fote shal be my pyk-staf [MS. B pikid staf; A. vii. 96 pyk, MS. U pykstaf, MS. H pilgrimstaf] and picche atwo þe rotes. 1393Ibid. C. vii. 329 Penaunce hus pyk-staf [A. v. 257 pike, piked staf] he wolde polische newe. c1470Henryson Mor. Fab. xi (Wolf & Sheep) iii, With pykestaff and with scrip to fair of toun. 1592Greene Upst. Courtier Wks. (Grosart) XI. 212 He stands sollemnlie leaning on his pike staffe. a1642Sir W. Monson Naval Tracts i. (1704) 228/1 The Weapon is a Pike-Staff, such as Keepers and Warreners use for the guard of the Game. a1776in Herd Scot. Songs (1902) 109 Fare ye weel, my pyke-staff. 1816Scott Antiq. iv, Setting his pike-staff before him.
†2. Part of a wagon or cart: app. the same as pikestower. Obs.
1523Fitzherb. Husb. §5 The crosse somer, the keys and pikstaues.
3. The wooden shaft of a pike (the weapon).
1580Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Zagaye, is a staffe longer and more slender than a pike staffe, otherwise called Azagaye. 1642Chas. I Answ. Declar. Both Houses 1 July 24 Gisarms (which were Pikestaves). 1904Sir H. Maxwell in Blackw. Mag. June 754/2 Ash was the proper wood for pike-staves.
4. In proverbial phrases. as plain as a pikestaff, an alteration of the earlier phrase as plain as a packstaff (in reference to its plain surface). Also as stiff as a pikestaff. to call a pikestaff a pikestaff = to call a spade a spade.
1591Greene Disc. Coosnage (1592) 4 A new game..that hath no policie nor knauerie, but plaine as a pikestaffe. 1719D'Urfey Pills III. 22 When a Reason's as plain as a Pike⁓staff. 1848Thackeray Bk. Snobs xvii, When will you acknowledge that two and two make four, and call a pikestaff a pikestaff? 1851H. Melville Whale iv. 30 Sat up in bed stiff as a pike-staff. 1867Trollope Chron. Barset I. xlii. 367 The evidence against him was as plain as a pike⁓staff. |