spiky

English

Etymology

From spike +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /ˈspaɪki/

Adjective

spiky (comparative spikier, superlative spikiest)

1. Having spikes, spiny.
   • 1578, Rembert Dodoens, “Of Plantayne or Waybrede”, in Henry Lyte, transl., A Niewe Herball, or Historie of Plantes: […], London: […] [Henry [i.e., Hendrik van der] Loë for] Gerard Dewes, […], →OCLC, 1st part (Sundry Sortes of Herbes and Plantes), page 91:

     Of this kinde, there is founde an other, the Spikes, eares, or torches wherof, are very dubble, ſo as in euery Spyky eare, in ſteede of the little knappes or heades, it bringeth forth a number of other ſmal torches, wherof eche one is lyke to the ſpike or torch of great Plantayne.

2. Of hair, erect, resembling spikes.
3. (figurative) hostile; standoffish

   a spiky personality

   • 1988 April 16, Jim Fauntleroy, “Intimate Entertainment”, in Gay Community News, page 16:

     It started with Ron soloing on "He Wasn't Talking to Me," a quiet and wistful ballad that segued into the upbeat and spiky "Give Me a Man Who's Glad to Be Gay." This was a pride anthem about being gay with a few nudges at those carrying their closets with them to the bars (Straight looking marine seeks/straight looking cop to please/How straight can they look/when they're down on their knees?).

Translations

having spikes

• Bulgarian: покрит с шипове (pokrit s šipove)
• Finnish: piikikäs (fi)
• German: stachlig, stachelig (de)
• Kazakh: ұшты (ūşty)
• Maori: makao

hairstyle

• Spanish: de punta, pincho (es) (Spain, adjectivized noun), parado (es), chuzo (es) (South America)

Anagrams

• kipsy, pisky