Link Centre Dictionary

spur

UK/spɜː/ US/spɝ/ uncommon obsolete
noun (5) verb (5)

noun

1.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

  • “the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves”
Synonyms
2.

any pointed projection

Synonyms
3.

tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers

4.

a sharp prod fixed to a rider''s heel and used to urge a horse onward

  • “cowboys know not to squat with their spurs on”
Synonyms
5.

verb

1.

incite or stimulate

  • “The Academy was formed to spur research”
2.

give heart or courage to

Synonyms
3.

strike with a spur

4.

goad with spurs

  • “the rider spurred his horse”
5.

equip with spurs

  • “spur horses”

Origin

From Middle English spure, spore, from Old English spora, spura, from Proto-West Germanic *spurō, from Proto-Germanic *spurô, from Proto-Indo-European *sperH- (“to kick”).

Phrases

  • bone spur
  • great spur wheel
  • knight's spur
  • Prince of Wales spur
  • spur cell
  • spur gear
  • spur gearing
  • spur leather
  • spur on

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Parts

Part of

Entails

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.