cockspur

[ kok-spur ]

noun

1. a North American hawthorn, Crataegus crus-galli, having leathery, toothed leaves and red fruit, cultivated as a small ornamental tree.
2. a gaslight burner having three jets.

cockspur

/ ˈkɒkˌspɜː /

noun

1. a spur on the leg of a cock
2. an annual grass, Echinochloa crus-galli, widely distributed in tropical and warm temperate regions
3. a small thorny North American hawthorn tree, Crataegus crus-galli

Word History and Origins

Origin of cockspur¹

First recorded in 1585–95; for cock's spur

Example Sentences

The shape and general appearance of this tube has procured for it, among the workmen, the name of the "cockspur" burner.

From Project Gutenberg

The cockspur thorn is a small, handsome tree, fifteen to twenty feet high, with stiff branches in a broad round head.

From Project Gutenberg

These props have fanciful names, such as "spurs," "stilts," "cockspurs," etc.

From Project Gutenberg

In the way of fruit-bearing shade trees he recommends sugar maple, flowering dogwood, white and cockspur thorn, native red mulberry, tupelo, black cherry, choke cherry, and mountain ash.

From Project Gutenberg

It was somewhat more efficient than the cockspur burner.

From Project Gutenberg