fike, choose one:

a) [Irish] a small measure of liquid, approximately equivalent to the Scottish dram

b) a river fish trap

c) a long, thin spear with a barbed tip used for fishing (heavier and thicker versions became the standard for whaling)

d) to produce income, derived from the word ficus (It.), fike was a noun to describe the annual income from a single fig tree

e) [M. Flemish] a ring-shaped harness piece that connects the bit to the reins, usually of oak, sometimes ornamentally carved

f) a unit of volume equal to one-half kilderkin

g) [Scot.] to move restlessly, bustle, fidget: fig. to be fussy or restless

h) a deep-water fish; denizen of the Indian Ocean

i) a tool used in the process of cleaning horses' feet in preparation for reshoeing

j) a staff with a hook at one end, used to steal articles from hedges, open windows, etc. [obs.]

k) to hammer a camming device into a suitable fissure (mountaineering term)

l) /feek/ a gaff for spearing fish from the riverbank [regional dial. fr. Northumberland]

m) an artificial tree, esp. the type found in hotels and waiting rooms [from ficus, the genus of a typical potted natural tree]

n) a Scandinavian word for knife, unique for showing evidence of extreme consonantal drift

---

there you have it, courtesy of stalwart regulars dxb, TEd, themilum, Faldage, Zed, musick, Owlbow, wofa, and Wordwind; plus entries from a couple of old friends, maverick, and Sparteye as well as the usual weak entry from the hogmasterŪ, and one more from someone who wouldn't ask us to use it.

and per usual, I remain unapologetic for all attempts to standardize entries (or not).