Definition

Noun: 1. The wooden shaft or handle of a pike (a long thrusting spear): This is the original, literal meaning, referring to the long, straight staff to which the metal head of a pike is attached. 2. (as) plain as a pikestaff: This is the primary modern usage, found almost exclusively in the idiomatic phrase meaning "extremely clear or obvious." The idiom likely originates from the simplicity and straightforwardness of a plain, unadorned wooden staff.

Usage Examples

• Literal (historical):
• Idiomatic:
• Idiomatic:

Advanced Usage

• The word is now considered archaic outside of its fixed idiomatic expression. You will rarely, if ever, encounter it used in its literal sense in modern English.
• The idiom "(as) plain as a pikestaff" is a simile used for emphasis. It is interchangeable with other similes like "(as) plain as day" or "(as) clear as crystal."

Variants and Related Words

• Pike: The weapon itself, consisting of a metal point on a long wooden staff.
• Staff: A long stick used for support or as a weapon; a general term for a pole.

Synonyms

• Shaft (for the literal meaning).
• Obvious, clear, evident, manifest, apparent (for the sense in the idiom).

Related Idioms

• (as) plain as day: Extremely obvious.
• (as) clear as crystal: Very easy to understand or see.
• (as) plain as the nose on your face: Blatantly obvious.

Noun

1. the staff of a pike