Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

pikestaff

American  
[pahyk-staf, -stahf] / ˈpaɪkˌstæf, -ˌstɑf /

noun

  • pikestaves
    plural
  1. the shaft of an infantry pike.

  2. a foot traveler's staff with a metal point or spike at the lower end.


pikestaff British  
/ ˈpaɪkˌstɑːf /

noun

  1. the wooden handle of a pike

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of pikestaff

First recorded in 1325–75, pikestaff is from the Middle English word pykstaf. See pike 5, staff 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It was plain as a pikestaff that Japan's airmen had failed either to break Chinese morale at Nanking or to win mastery of the air over the capital.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was pikestaff plain that Adolf Hitler wanted all Europe to hear about and be frightened by his mobilization.

From Time Magazine Archive

So pikestaff plain are the advantages of a sub-Channel railway that last week even that ruddy, insular, industrial squire, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, took up sturdy cudgels in its defense.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was now plain as a pikestaff that the Court can never be effectively packed.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sam, who had been watching his master with great concern, shook his head and muttered: ‘Plain as a pikestaff it is, but it’s no good Sam Gamgee putting in his spoke just now.’

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

The hinge of the door creaked; through it there came the sound of the pikestaves of her guard upon the stone of the steps.

From The Fifth Queen Crowned by Ford Madox Ford

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training