pike
UK[paɪk]US[paɪk]
n
A type of large, freshwater fish with a long body and sharp teeth.
n
A weapon with a long wooden shaft and a pointed metal head.
n
A pointed tip or spike, especially on a tool or implement.
n
A sharp-pointed peak of a mountain.
v
To kill or pierce with a pike.
Etymology
The word 'pike' presents a fascinating case of semantic convergence from multiple sources into a single, sharp-pointed concept. Its primary lineage traces back to the Old French 'pique', a noun derived from the verb 'piquer' (to prick, pierce), which itself has probable Germanic roots. The core, ancient sense of 'a point' is the unifying thread. This fundamental meaning logically branched out to name the pointed weapon, the fish with a pointed snout and body, and the pointed mountain peak. Thus, the modern abstract meaning of any long, sharp point is a direct and intuitive evolution from this simple, ancient root concept.
Analysis
This word is a simplex. It is a loanword from Middle English, which borrowed it from Old French 'pique', itself from 'piquer' meaning 'to prick'. The ultimate origin is likely Germanic, possibly related to Old English 'pic' meaning 'point'.
Examples
The angler was thrilled to catch a northern pike in the lake.
Medieval infantry often used a long pike to defend against cavalry charges.
The climbers aimed to reach the pike of the mountain before noon.