Spikeweed
/ˈspaɪk.wiːd/noun
Any of various plants characterized by spikelike or prickly parts.
Did you know?The word “spike” is related to Latin spica, the “ear of grain,” and Spica—the bright star in Virgo—was named for that same celestial image.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spei-
“To be sharp or pointed”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*speikō
“A spike or pointed object”
Old English
Old English
spīca
“A spike, especially an ear of grain”
Old English
Old English
wēod
“A plant or vegetation”
Middle English
English
spike
“A sharp point, nail, or ear of grain”
Modern English
English
spikeweed
“A plant with spikelike or prickly structures”