pikestaff

pikestaff
/puyk"staf', -stahf'/, n., pl. pikestaves /-stayvz'/.
1. the shaft of an infantry pike.
2. a foot traveler's staff with a metal point or spike at the lower end.
[1325-75; ME pykstaf. See PIKE5, STAFF1]

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pikestaff — ► NOUN historical ▪ the wooden shaft of a pike. ● (as) plain as a pikestaff Cf. ↑plain as a pikestaff …   English terms dictionary

  • Pikestaff — Pike staff , n. 1. The staff, or shaft, of a pike. [1913 Webster] 2. A staff with a spike in the lower end, to guard against slipping. Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pikestaff — [pīk′staf΄] n. pl. pikestaves [pīk′stāvz΄] 1. the shaft of a pike 2. a traveler s staff with a sharp iron or steel point …   English World dictionary

  • pikestaff — pike|staff [ˈpaıksta:f US stæf] n as plain as a pikestaff BrE old fashioned very clear and easy to understand ▪ None of us worked it out, though it was as plain as a pikestaff when you thought about it …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • pikestaff — noun historical the wooden shaft of a pike. Phrases (as) plain as a pikestaff 1》 very obvious. 2》 ordinary or unattractive in appearance. [alt. of as plain as a packstaff, the staff being that of a pedlar, on which he rested his pack of wares.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • pikestaff — UK [ˈpaɪkˌstɑːf] / US [ˈpaɪkstɑf] noun as plain as a pikestaff …   English dictionary

  • pikestaff — /ˈpaɪkstaf/ (say puykstahf) noun (plural pikestaffs /ˈpaɪkstafs/ (say puykstahfs)) 1. the staff or shaft of a pike (weapon). –phrase 2. as plain as a pikestaff, extremely or unmistakably clear. {Phrase Origin: ? from the fact that pikes were long …  

  • pikestaff — n. 1 the wooden shaft of a pike. 2 a walking stick with a metal point. Phrases and idioms: plain as a pikestaff quite plain or obvious (orig. packstaff, a smooth staff used by a pedlar) …   Useful english dictionary

  • pikestaff — noun Date: 14th century 1. a spiked staff for use on slippery ground 2. the staff of a foot soldier s pike …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pikestaff — noun The wooden shaft of a pike …   Wiktionary

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