Spur

Pronunciation

• IPA: /spɜː(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)

Old English spora.

Full definition of spur

Noun

1. A rigid implement, often roughly y-shaped, that is fixed to one's heel for purpose of prodding a horse. Often worn by, and emblematic of, the cowboy or the knight.
• 1598, William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act IV, Scene VI, line 4:Lives he, good uncle? thrice within this hour I saw him down; thrice up again, and fighting; From helmet to the spur all blood he was.
• 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 22:Two sorts of spurs seem to have been in use about the time of the Conquest, one called a pryck, having only a single point like the gaffle of a fighting cock; the other consisting of a number of points of considerable length, radiating from and revolving on a center, thence named the rouelle or wheel spur.
2. Anything that inspires or motivates, as a spur does to a horse.
• 1601, William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, Act II, Scene II, line 198.But, worthy Hector, She is a theme of honour and renown, A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds...
3. An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster.
4. Any protruding part connected at one end, for instance a highway that extends from another highway into a city.
5. Roots, tree roots.
• 1609, William Shakespeare, , Act IV, Scene II, line 57:I do note
  That grief and patience, rooted in them both,
  Mingle their spurs together.
• 1610, , by William Shakespeare, act 5 scene 1... the strong-bas'd promontoryHave I made shake; and by the spurs pluck'd upThe pine and cedar ...
6. A mountain that shoots from another mountain or range and extends 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. (carpentry) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, such as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.
9. (architecture) The short wooden buttress of a post.
10. (architecture) 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.
11. Ergotized rye or other grain.
12. A wall in a fortification that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.
13. (shipbuilding) A piece of timber fixed on the bilgeways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side.
14. (shipbuilding) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam cannot be placed.

Derived terms

• spur-of-the-moment

Related terms

• rigid implement rowel, pryck, prick

Verb

1. To prod (especially a horse) in the side or flank, with the intent to urge motion or haste, to gig.
• 1592, William Shakespeare, Richard III, Act V, Scene III, line 339:Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood; Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!
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.
• 1599, William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene IV, line 4.My desire
  (More sharp than filed steel) did spur me forth...
3. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.

Derived terms

• spur on

See sparrow.

Noun

1. (Scotland) A sparrow.
2. A tern.