Spur word meaning and definition

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

\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.

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