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   spur

   /spəː/

   noun

   • 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.
   • ▪ a horny 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.
   • 2. a thing that prompts or encourages someone; an incentive: "wars act as a spur to practical invention" Similar stimulusincentiveencouragementstimulantstimulationinducementimpetusprodpromptincitementgoadfillipmotivemotivationinformal:kick up the backsideshot in the armOpposite disincentivediscouragement
   • 3. a projection from a mountain or mountain range: "it's an easy walk up the spur that leads to the summit"
   • ▪ a short branch road or railway line.
   • ▪ 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.
   • ▪ a short pointed growth or process on a part of the body.
   • 4. a small, single-pointed support for ceramic ware in a kiln.

   verb

   • 1. urge (a horse) forward by digging one's spurs into its sides: "she spurred her horse towards the hedge"
   • 2. give an incentive or encouragement to (someone): "her sons' passion for computer games spurred her on to set up a software business"
   • ▪ promote the development of; stimulate: "governments cut interest rates to spur demand"
   • 3. prune in (a side shoot of a plant) so as to form a spur close to the stem: "spur back the lateral shoots"

   Word Origin Old Englishspora, spura, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch spoor and German Sporn, also to spurn.

   Derivatives

   • 1. spurless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • U

     1

   • R

     1

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2. People also ask

   What was a vocabulary spurt?

   • They were to be delegated certain powers to pace or control the movement of products between the final assembly spurs. Workers in assembly cells and spurs were to work on an individual end product. The vocabulary spurt, then, could simply be spurred by her increasing articulatory skill.

   SPUR | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   What does spur of the moment mean?

   • In addition to the idiom beginning with spur , also see on the spur of the moment; win one's spurs. And for those seeking a quick fix: Studies show that light therapy can spur a mood lift in just several days. Did you plan on this or is this a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing?

   SPUR Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   What is the meaning of spur?

   • 1. incite, drive, prompt, press, urge, stimulate, animate, prod, prick, goad, impel His friend's plight had spurred him into taking part. 1. stimulus, incentive, impetus, motive, impulse, inducement, incitement, kick up the backside Redundancy is the spur for many to embark on new careers.

   Spur - definition of spur by The Free Dictionary

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   What is a spur on a horse?

   • a U -shaped device that slips over and straps to the heel of a riding boot and has a blunt or pointed metal part projecting from the back: used by a mounted rider to urge a horse forward by pressing the projection against the horse’s flank. A passion to win the championship was the spur that galvanized him to train like never before.

   SPUR Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   What is a spur in architecture?

   • Also called spur shoot. a 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. griffe 2. Ceramics. a triangular support of refractory clay for an object being fired. Railroads. spur track ( def ).

   SPUR Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   What is a spur to a new career?

   • Something that acts as a spur to something else encourages a person or organization to do that thing or makes it happen more quickly. Redundancy is the spur for many to embark on new careers. Spurs are small metal wheels with sharp points that are attached to the heels of a rider's boots. The rider uses them to make their horse go faster.

   SPUR definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spurSpur Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spur

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   Oct 24, 2012 · Learn the various meanings and uses of the word spur, from a pointed device for horses to a stimulus for action. See synonyms, examples, etymology, and related phrases for spur.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSPUR | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Spur can be a verb meaning to encourage or push, or a noun meaning a sharp object, a mountain or an encouragement. Learn how to use spur in different contexts with examples and translations.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › spurSPUR Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › spur

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   Spur can be a noun or a verb, and it has different meanings in different contexts. As a noun, it can refer to a device for riding horses, a projection on birds or plants, a railway branch, or a short road. As a verb, it can mean to urge, to wound, or to earn distinction.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › spurSpur - definition of spur by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spur

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   A spur is a pointed device or wheel attached to a rider's boot to urge a horse forward, or anything that stimulates or encourages action. Learn more about the different types and uses of spurs, and see related words and expressions.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSPUR definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word spur, from a device on a horse's heel to a stimulus to action. Find synonyms, pronunciation, examples, and related words for spur.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySPUR | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   Spur can be a verb meaning to encourage or push, or a noun meaning a sharp object or a mountain. Learn how to use spur in different contexts with examples and idioms.

9. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spurSpur - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spur

   To spur something on is to get it going, to encourage it, to hasten it or stimulate. Cowboys wear spiky metal tools called spurs on their boots to kick their horses and spur them to greater speed.