Pikes are long wooden shafts with pointed metal tips that were used as weapons in battle. Pikestaves are similar to pikes, but they are shorter and stouter, typically used as tools for supporting heavy loads or as harpoons for catching fish. There are several synonyms for pikestaves, including "gads," which are stout wooden sticks with pointed tips used to drive cattle; "goads," which are similar to gads but are longer and often used for prodding or urging animals; and "staves," which are stout wooden rods used to support a structure, such as a fence or a roof. Other synonyms for pikestaves include "rods," "staffs," and "poles".