"The spike glycoproteins give the coronavirus its name. The molecules protrude from the viral envelope like the spikes of a crown."
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-spikes-crown-proteins-coronaviruses-infect.html
"We’ve all seen images of the spike protein that sits atop the coronavirus like a crown."
https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2020/06/coronavirus-spike-protein-mutations.html
"The spike protein of coronaviruses is one such viral glycoprotein. Ebola viruses have one, the influenza virus has two, and herpes simplex virus has five."
https://theconversation.com/new-coronavirus-variant-what-is-the-spike-protein-and-why-are-mutations-on-it-important-152463
"Coronaviruses are named after the crown or 'corona' that surrounds each virus particle, a crown of thorns made up of spike proteins. Those spikes interact with molecules on the surface of a cell so that the virus can invade its host."
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jvchamary/2020/04/17/coronavirus-spike-protein/?sh=6a7848a52b27
"The novel coronavirus uses its "spike proteins" to latch onto and invade human cells."
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-spike-protein-multiple-shapes.html