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spiky

[spahy-kee]
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adjective, spik·i·er, spik·i·est.
  1. having a spike or spikes.
  2. having the form of a spike; spikelike.
  3. acid or peevish in temper or mood; prickly.
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Origin of spiky

First recorded in 1570–80; spike1 + -y1
Related formsspik·i·ly, adverbspik·i·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

opinionatedbelligerentcombativecontentiousacutepointedpricklyspikybitingnastyannoyingcaustickeensalientfinetaperingeristiccontrarygnawing
British Dictionary definitions for spiky

spiky

adjective spikier or spikiest
  1. resembling a spike
  2. having a spike or spikes
  3. British informal ill-tempered
  4. characterized by violent or aggressive methodsspiky protestors
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Derived Formsspikily, adverbspikiness, noun
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

Word Origin and History for spiky

adj.

1720, from spike (n.1) + -y (2). Related: Spikiness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper