pike-head
(ˈpaɪkhɛd)
[f. pike n.4, n.5 + head.]
1. The metal head of a pike (n.5).
| 1596 Spenser F.Q. iv. vii. 27 He..therein left the pike-head of his speare. 1659 Rushw. Hist. Coll. I. 464 The Enemy holds upon their Pike-heads mutton, capons, turkies, &c. to let the English see they had no want. 1841 Lever C. O'Malley lxxxi, The Cossacks with the red beards..and long poles with pike-heads on them. |
2. A fish of the family Luciocephalidæ.
So pike-headed a., having a head with long snout and jaws, like those of the pike (n.4); as pike-headed alligator, pike-headed anolis; pike-headed whale, the piked whale: see piked 2 b.
| 1769 Pennant Zool. III. 40 Pike-headed whale..this species takes its name from the shape of its nose, which is narrower and sharper pointed than that of other whales. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. VI. 193 The Pike-headed Whale. 1890 Cent. Dict. s.v., Pike-headed alligator, the common Mississippi alligator..Alligator lucius. |