Spike vs. Thorn: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A spike is a sharp, pointed projection, often long and slender, while a thorn is a stiff, sharp point on a plant, typically a defensive growth.
Key Differences
A spike generally refers to a long, pointed object, often made of metal or wood, used for various purposes such as fastening or puncturing. On the other hand, a thorn is specifically a part of a plant, a sharp, hardened outgrowth often used by the plant for defense against herbivores.
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In terms of appearance, spikes are usually uniform and can be part of a man-made object, like a spiked fence. Thorns, however, are natural and vary in size and shape depending on the plant species.
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The function of a spike can vary from structural support to offensive or defensive purposes in both natural and artificial settings. Thorns, however, primarily serve a protective function for plants, deterring animals from eating or damaging them.
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Spikes can be easily added or removed from objects, indicating their detachable nature. Thorns, in contrast, are an integral part of a plant’s anatomy, growing directly from its surface.
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While spikes can be found in various contexts from fashion to weaponry, thorns are exclusively associated with flora, highlighting their biological origin and purpose.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A sharp, pointed projection or object.
A stiff, sharp point growing on a plant.
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Function
Varied, including fastening or decoration.
Primarily defensive, protecting the plant.
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Removability
Often detachable or added to objects.
Integral, growing from the plant’s surface.
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Associated Contexts
Diverse, from architecture to fashion.
Exclusively botanical.
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Spike and Thorn Definitions
Spike
To add alcohol or another substance to food or drink.
He decided to spike the punch with some extra rum.
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Thorn
A protective mechanism in plants.
The cactus thorns deterred animals from eating it.
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Thorn
Something that causes annoyance or trouble.
The unresolved issue became a thorn in his side.
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Thorn
A symbol of grief, discomfort, or trouble.
His constant tardiness was a thorn in the team's efficiency.
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Thorn
Any of various shrubs, trees, or woody plants bearing such sharp structures.
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Spike
A tuft of hair that is stiffened, as with hair spray or soap, into a point.
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Thorn
One that causes sharp pain, irritation, or discomfort
He is a thorn in my side.
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Thorn
The runic letter þ, used in Old English, Middle English, and Old Norse manuscripts to represent both the voiceless sound (th) of Modern English thin and the voiced sound (th) of Modern English this, and in modern Icelandic orthography to represent the voiceless sound (th).
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Spike
One of several sharp metal projections set in the sole or in the sole and heel of an athletic shoe for grip.
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Thorn
Any shrub or small tree that bears thorns, especially a hawthorn.
The white thorn
The cockspur thorn
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Thorn
A letter of Latin script (capital: Þ, small: þ), borrowed from the futhark; today used only in Icelandic to represent the voiceless dental fricative, but originally used in several early Germanic scripts, including Old English where it represented the dental fricatives that are today written th (Old English did not have phonemic voicing distinctions for fricatives).
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Spike
A young mackerel of small size, usually 15 centimeters (6 inches) or less in length.
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Spike
A sharp rise followed by a sharp decline in a graph or in the tracing of a scientific instrument.
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Thorn
A hard and sharp-pointed projection from a woody stem; usually, a branch so transformed; a spine.
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Thorn
Any shrub or small tree which bears thorns; especially, any species of the genus Cratægus, as the hawthorn, whitethorn, cockspur thorn.
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Thorn
Fig.: That which pricks or annoys as a thorn; anything troublesome; trouble; care.
There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.
The guilt of empire, all its thorns and cares,Be only mine.
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Spike
(Sports) The act of driving a volleyball at a sharp angle into the opponent's court by jumping near the net and hitting the ball down hard from above.
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Thorn
The name of the Anglo-Saxon letter , capital form . It was used to represent both of the sounds of English th, as in thin, then. So called because it was the initial letter of thorn, a spine.
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Spike
(Football) The act of slamming the ball to the ground after succeeding in an important play, as after scoring a touchdown.
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Thorn
To prick, as with a thorn.
I am the only rose of all the stockThat never thorn'd him.
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Spike
(Football) The act of deliberately throwing the ball to the ground as an incomplete pass in order to stop the game clock.
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Thorn
Something that causes irritation and annoyance;
He's a thorn in my flesh
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Spike
(Botany) A usually elongated, unbranched inflorescence with stalkless flowers arranged along an axis.
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Thorn
A stiff, sharp-pointed woody projection on a plant.
The rose bush was full of small, sharp thorns.
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Thorn
A prickle or sharp point.
She pricked her finger on a thorn while gardening.
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Spike
To add a poison or other chemical to
A drink spiked with barbiturates.
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Spike
To add flavor or spice to
"Miss Jane brought him ... cold spring water spiked with a dash of vinegar and a touch of molasses" (Howard Frank Mosher).
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Spike
To render (a muzzleloading gun) useless by driving a spike into the vent.
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Spike
To manifest or undergo a sudden increase in (something) followed by a sharp decrease
Spike a high fever.
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Spike
To manifest or undergo a sudden increase followed by a sharp decrease
Traffic to the website spiked after the scandal broke.
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Spike
A piece of pointed metal etc. set with points upward or outward.
The trap was lined with spikes.
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Spike
(botany) A kind of inflorescence in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis.
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Spike
A surge in power or in the price of a commodity, etc.; any sudden and brief change that would be represented by a sharp peak on a graph.
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Spike
The rod-like protrusion from a woman's high-heeled shoe that elevates the heel.
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Spike
A long nail for storing papers by skewering them; (by extension) the metaphorical place where rejected newspaper articles are sent.
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Spike
(volleyball) An attack from, usually, above the height of the net performed with the intent to send the ball straight to the floor of the opponent or off the hands of the opposing block.
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Spike
(theater) A mark indicating where a prop or other item should be placed on stage.
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Spike
A small project that uses the simplest possible program to explore potential solutions.
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Spike
To embed nails into (a tree) so that any attempt to cut it down will damage equipment or injure people.
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Spike
To increase sharply.
Traffic accidents spiked in December when there was ice on the roads.
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Spike
To covertly put alcohol or another intoxicating substance into a drink.
She spiked my lemonade with vodka!
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Spike
To add a small amount of one substance to another.
The water sample to be tested has been spiked with arsenic, antimony, mercury, and lead in quantities commonly found in industrial effluents.
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Spike
(volleyball) To attack from, usually, above the height of the net with the intent to send the ball straight to the floor of the opponent or off the hands of the opposing block.
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Spike
(military) To render (a gun) unusable by driving a metal spike into its touch hole.
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Spike
To slam the football to the ground, usually in celebration of scoring a touchdown, or to stop expiring time on the game clock after snapping the ball as to save time for the losing team to attempt to score the tying or winning points.
To spike the football
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Spike
A sort of very large nail; also, a piece of pointed iron set with points upward or outward.
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Spike
Anything resembling such a nail in shape.
He wears on his head the corona radiata . . . ; the spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun.
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Spike
A kind of flower cluster in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis.
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Spike
To fasten with spikes, or long, large nails; as, to spike down planks.
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Spike
To stop the vent of (a gun or cannon) by driving a spike nail, or the like into it.
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Spike
Sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes;
Spikes provide greater traction
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Spike
(botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
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Spike
A sharp rise followed by a sharp decline;
The seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor
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Spike
Bring forth a spike or spikes;
My hyacinths and orchids are spiking now
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Spike
A long, thin, sharp-pointed rod or bar.
The fence was topped with metal spikes to prevent climbing.
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Spike
A sudden, sharp increase in a graph or value.
The company noticed a spike in sales during the holiday season.
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Spike
A sharp-pointed object used in sports, like on shoes for traction.
Her running shoes had spikes to improve grip on the track.
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Spike
A sharp rise in the magnitude or intensity of something.
There was a sudden spike in temperature during the heatwave.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are spikes always metal?
No, spikes can be made of various materials including metal, wood, or plastic.
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Do all plants have thorns?
No, only certain plants have thorns, often for protection.
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What is a spike?
A spike is a sharp, pointed projection or object, often long and slender.
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Is "thorn" ever used metaphorically in language?
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe something that is troublesome or painful.
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What is a thorn?
A thorn is a stiff, sharp point on a plant, usually serving as a defense mechanism.
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Can "spike" describe a sudden, sharp pain, like a headache?
Yes, "spike" can be used to describe a sudden and intense pain.
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What is a "spike protein" in biology?
The "spike protein" is a part of the coronavirus responsible for entering human cells.
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What is a "spike strip" used for in law enforcement?
A "spike strip" is a device used to stop or disable vehicles by puncturing their tires during pursuits.
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Can a spike be a part of a plant?
Rarely, some plants may have spike-like structures, but these are typically called spines or prickles.
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Is "spike" used in expressions related to punctuality?
Yes, you might hear phrases like "spike the clock" meaning to punch in or out at work.
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Do all thorns on plants have the same shape and size?
No, thorns can vary in shape, size, and sharpness depending on the plant species.
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Can "thorn" describe emotional pain or difficulty?
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe emotional hardship or challenges.
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What is a "rose thorn"?
A "rose thorn" refers to the sharp, pointed projections found on the stems of rose plants.
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What purpose do thorns serve for plants?
Thorns can deter herbivores and protect the plant from being eaten.
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Can "thorn" also refer to the letter "þ" in Old English and some other languages?
Yes, "thorn" historically represented the "þ" sound in Old English.
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What is the difference between a "thorn" and a "prickle"?
A "thorn" is a modified stem, while a "prickle" is a small, pointed outgrowth from the epidermis.
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In music, what is a "spike" used for?
A "spike" in music notation is a mark indicating that a note should be played louder or more accented.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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