Definitions for: Spur


[n] a railway line connected to a trunk line
[n] 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"
[n] a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something; "the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves"
[n] tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers
[n] any pointed projection
[v] goad with spurs, as of horses when riding
[v] equip with spurs; "spur horses"
[v] strike with a spur
[v] give heart or courage to
[v] incite or stimulate; "The Academy was formed to spur research"



Webster (1913) Definition: Spur, n.
1. (Mining) A branch of a vein.

2. The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor.


Spur, n. [See Sparrow.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A sparrow. [Scot.]
(b) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]


Spur, n. [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. [root]171. Cf. Sparrow, Spere,
Spoor, Spurn.]
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.



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. (Zo["o]l.) 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 fowl (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Asiatic
gallinaceous birds of the genus Galloperdix, allied to
the jungle fowl. The males have two or more spurs on each
leg.

Spur gear (Mach.), a cogwheel having teeth which project
radially and stand parallel to the axis; a spur wheel.

Spur gearing, gearing in which spur gears are used. See
under Gearing.

Spur pepper. (Bot.) See the Note under Capsicum.

Spur wheel. Same as Spur gear, above.


Spur, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spurred; p. pr. & vb. n.
Spurring.]
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, v. i.
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.

Synonyms: branch line, gad, goad, goad, goading, prod, prodding, spine, spur track, spurring, urging

See Also: advance, boost, boot, enation, encourage, encourage, encouragement, equip, fit, fit out, further, goad, goad, injure, line, loop-line, outfit, plant process, prod, projection, promote, rail line, railway line, rowel, strike, wound

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