Having spikes or sharp projections; also refers to drinks that have been secretly laced with alcohol or drugs. Can describe a sudden sharp increase in something.
From 'spike', Middle English from Old Norse 'spik' (splinter). The sense of adding alcohol secretly dates to early 20th century, from the idea of 'piercing' the drink with additives.
The word 'spiked' cleverly connects the physical sharpness of spikes with the sharp surprise of unexpected alcohol, showing how language uses concrete imagery to describe abstract experiences.
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