spur

views updated May 21 2018

spur / spər/ • n. 1. a device with a small spike or a spiked wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used for urging a horse forward. ∎ fig. a thing that prompts or encourages someone; an incentive: profit was both the spur and the reward of enterprise. ∎  a hard spike on the back of the leg of a cock or male game bird, used in fighting. ∎  a steel point fastened to the leg of a gamecock. ∎  a climbing iron.2. a thing that projects or branches off from a main body, in particular: ∎  a projection from a mountain or mountain range. ∎  a short branch road or rail line. ∎  Bot. a slender tubular projection from the base of a flower, e.g., a honeysuckle or orchid, typically containing nectar. ∎  a short fruit-bearing side shoot.• v. (spurred, spur·ring) [tr.] urge (a horse) forward by digging one's spurs into its sides: she spurred her horse toward the hedge. ∎  give an incentive or encouragement to (someone): her sons' passion for computer games spurred her on to set up a software store. ∎  cause or promote the development of; stimulate: governments cut interest rates to spur demand.PHRASES: on the spur of the moment on a momentary impulse; without premeditation.DERIVATIVES: spur·less adj.spurred adj.

spur

spur

views updated May 29 2018

spur.
1. Short horizontal timber, one end fixed to a cruck blade about a third of the height of the blade, and the other fixed to a cruck-stud, to carry the wall-plate.

2. Short diagonal strut.

3. Strengthening pier or sloping buttress.

4. Ornamental timber bracket by the sides of doors to support a projecting upper floor (e.g. C14 examples in York).

5. Salient outwork of a fortress.

6. Prowshaped bridge-pier, or cut-water.

7. Carved claw, leaf, or griffe on the corners of a square plinth under a medieval pier.

8. Spere.

spur

views updated Jun 27 2018

spur device attached to a rider's heel for pricking on his mount. OE. spora, spura = OS. sporo (Du. spoor), OHG. sporo (G. sporn), ON. spori :- Gmc. *spuran-, based on IE. *sper- strike with the foot; cf. SPURN, SPOOR.
Hence vb. XIII.

spur

views updated May 18 2018

spur
1. A short side branch that bears flowers and fruits
.
2. In conifers, a shoot that bears leaves
.
3. A tubular projection from a flower.

spur

views updated May 08 2018

spur A ridge that descends towards a valley floor from the higher ground above. It may be due to an outcrop of resistant rock, or it may develop on the concave side of a winding stream as a result of incision.

spur

views updated May 21 2018

spur A ridge that descends towards a valley floor from the higher ground above. It may be due to an outcrop of resistant rock, or it may develop on the concave side of a winding stream as a result of incision.

spur

views updated May 29 2018

spur (sper) n. a sharp projection, especially one of bone.

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