UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈspɜːr/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/spɝ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(spûr)
aU-shaped device attached to the heel of a boot, having a pointed part that sticks out, used by a rider to urge a horse forward.
something that forces one to action.
Rail Transporta short track, road, or passage leading away from a main one, such as a siding for a train.
v.
to prick with or as if with a spur to urge (a horse) to keep moving or to go faster:[~ + object (+ on)]The sheriff spurred his horse (on) and rode quickly after the bandit.
to incite (one) to take action: [~ + object (+ on) + to + verb]The insult spurred him (on) to retaliate.[~ + object + on]Your encouragement spurred him on and he later achieved even greater results.
Idioms
Idiomson the spur of the moment, [uncountable] suddenly; impulsively; without planning:On the spur of the moment he jumped up and delivered a fiery speech.
Idiomswin one's spurs, to achieve distinction or success for the first time.
spur1(spûr),USA pronunciationn., v.,spurred, spur•ring. n.
aU-shaped device that slips over and straps to the heel of a boot and has a blunt, pointed, or roweled projection at the back for use by a mounted rider to urge a horse forward.
anything that goads, impels, or urges, as to action, speed, or achievement.
See climbing iron.
Birds[Ornith.]a stiff, usually sharp, horny process on the leg of various birds, esp. the domestic rooster, or on the bend of the wing, as in jacanas and screamers.
Pathologya bony projection or exostosis.
Sporta sharp piercing or cutting instrument fastened to the leg of a gamecock in cockfighting; gaff.
Geography[Physical Geog.]a ridge or line of elevation projecting from or subordinate to the main body of a mountain or mountain range.
something that projects and resembles or suggests a gaff; sharp projection.
a short or stunted branch or shoot, as of a tree.
Printing[Typography.]a short, seriflike projection from the bottom of the short vertical stroke in the capital G in some fonts.
Civil EngineeringSee wing dam.
[Bot.]
Botanya slender, usually hollow, projection from some part of a flower, as from the calyx of the larkspur or the corolla of the violet.
Botanya short shoot bearing flowers, as in fruit trees.
Architecture
a short wooden brace, usually temporary, for strengthening a post or some other part.
any offset from a wall, as a buttress.c. griffe2.
Ceramicsa triangular support of refractory clay for an object being fired.
Rail TransportSee spur track.
on the spur of the moment, without deliberation; impulsively; suddenly:We headed for the beach on the spur of the moment.
win one's spurs, to achieve distinction or success for the first time; prove one's ability or worth:Our team hasn't won its spurs yet.
v.t.
to prick with or as if with a spur or spurs; incite or urge on:The rider spurred his mount ruthlessly. Appreciation spurs ambition.
Sportto strike or wound with the spur, as a gamecock.
to furnish with spurs or a spur.
v.i.
to goad or urge one's horse with spurs or a spur; ride quickly.
to proceed hurriedly; press forward:We spurred onward through the night.
bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English spure, Old English spura; cognate with Old High German sporo, Old Norse spori spur; akin to spurn; (verb, verbal) Middle English spuren, derivative of the noun, nominal