spur Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
    goading; goad; spurring; prodding; prod; urging.
    • the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves
  2. noun any sharply pointed projection
    spine; acantha.
  3. noun tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers
  4. noun a sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward
    gad.
    • cowboys know not to squat with their spurs on
  5. noun a railway line connected to a trunk line
    spur track; branch line.
  6. verb incite or stimulate
    • The Academy was formed to spur research
  7. verb give heart or courage to
    goad.
  8. verb strike with a spur
  9. verb goad with spurs
    • the rider spurred his horse
  10. verb equip with spurs
    • spur horses

WordNet

Spur noun
Etymology
See Sparrow.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) (a) A sparrow. Scot. (b) A tern. Prov. Eng.
Spur noun
Etymology
OE. spure, AS. spura, spora; akin to D. spoor, G. sporn, OHG. sporo, Icel. spori, Dan. spore, Sw. sporre, and to AS. spor a trace, footstep, spyrian to trace, track, examine, and E. spurn. Cf. Sparrow, Spere, Spoor, Spurn.
Definitions
  1. An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge of knighthood.
    And on her feet a pair of spurs large. Chaucer.
    To earn one's spurs, win one's spurs, to earn recognition for achievement or for expertise.
  2. That which goads to action; an incitement.
    Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble mind) To scorn delights and live laborious days. Milton.
  3. Something that projects; a snag.
  4. One of the large or principal roots of a tree. Shak.
  5. (Zoöl.) Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain burds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock's leg.
  6. A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.
  7. A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber.
  8. (Carp.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.
  9. (Arch.) (a) The short wooden buttress of a post. (b) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage.
  10. (Bot.) (a) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur. Gray. (b) Ergotized rye or other grain. R.
  11. (Fort.) A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.
  12. (Shipbuilding) (a) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side. (b) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam can not be placed.
Spur transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Spurred ; present participle & verbal noun Spurring
Definitions
  1. To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to urge or goad; as, to spur a horse.
  2. To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive.
    Love will not be spurred to what it loathes. Shak.
  3. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.
Spur intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To spur on one' horse; to travel with great expedition; to hasten; hence, to press forward in any pursuit. "Now spurs the lated traveler." Shak.
    The Parthians shall be there, And, spurring from the fight, confess their fear. Dryden.
    The roads leading to the capital were covered with multitudes of yeomen, spurring hard to Westminster. Macaulay.
    Some bold men, . . . by spurring on, refine themselves. Grew.

Webster 1913