pike1
/pʌɪk
/
- Family Esocidae and genus Esox: five species, including the widespread northern pike (E. lucius).
- There are herring and cod in the outer archipelago, but within casting range of land the fish are mostly fresh-water - perch, bream, pike, and zander.
- Paul contacted the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water, which are now investigating the cause of the deaths of a number of fish including pike, eels and roach.
- The department may designate certain waters in which a rubber or spring propelled spear may be used for the taking of carp, dogfish, garpike, and suckers.
- It can save you lots of time reeling in grass pike, and a pocket full of money on lost baits, if you invest in a couple weed less baits for your tackle box.
Origin
Middle English: from pike2 (because of the fish's pointed jaw).
The earliest recorded meaning of pike is for a pickaxe, pick simply being a variant form of pike. The freshwater fish the pike gets its name from the resemblance of its long pointed jaw to the old infantry weapon called a pike, which has a pointed steel or iron head on a long shaft. While basically the same word as Old English pike, this came into English during the 16th century from French piquer ‘to pierce’. In dialect piked ‘pointed’ became picked and then peaked, and this is probably the origin of the word peak (Late Middle English) for the pointed top of something such as a mountain. The Australian and New Zealand expressions to pike out, ‘to withdraw or go back on a plan or agreement’, and to pike on, ‘to let someone down’, go back to a 15th- and 16th-century use to pike yourself ‘to provide yourself with a pilgrim's pike or staff’, and so ‘to depart, leave’. See also plain
Rhymes
pike2
/pʌɪk/- The invention and proliferation of the ring bayonet in the 1690s led to the disappearance of the pike as a standard infantry weapon.
- Dixira stopped abruptly, his nose inches from the wooden shafts of the pikes.
- At 978 metres (3209 feet), Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England. It is located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria.
- Although the lowest of the three country tops of Scotland, Wales and England, Scafell Pike is perhaps the hardest to get to.
- Many people walk up Scafell Pike each day - but beware of following the crowd!
Origin
Early 16th century: from French pique, back-formation from piquer 'pierce', from pic 'pick, pike'; compare with Old English pīc 'point, prick' (of unknown origin). (sense 2 of the noun) is apparently of Scandinavian origin; compare with West Norwegian dialect pīk 'pointed mountain'.
pike3
/pʌɪk/- Maryland's Baltimore to Cumberland section of the Historic National Road was designated the Historic National Pike.
- Towns and cities along the pike began to spring up to provide comforts for weary travelers heading west. Modern travelers of the Historic National Pike will find communities proud of their vibrant heritage.
Phrases
come down the pike
pike4
/pʌɪk/- A good freestyle turn should be started in a pike position.
- Now bring the ball closer to your hands by bending at the waist until you achieve an inverted pike position.
Origin
1920s: of unknown origin.
pike5
/pʌɪk/- John and James pike out leaving me and Rick to head up to the bar to get a couple of drinks before heading to bed.
- Then I thought ‘Oh well, there go all my readers overly-protected by various ‘inappropriate content’ filters ’, such as are found in all too many libraries, so I piked out.
Origin
Late Middle English (as pike oneself 'take up a pilgrim's staff'): compare with Danish pigge af 'hasten off'. The current senses date from the mid 20th century.