- 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. 2001.
pikestaff
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 — /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] * * * … Universalium
pikestaff — noun The wooden shaft of a pike … Wiktionary
