cockspur

American  

[kok-spur] / ˈkɒkˌspɜr /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of cockspur

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

Example Sentences

When Australia was first colonised, any sensible man might have foreboded sorrel, cockspur, Scotch thistle, &c., as unwelcome, but unavoidable, adjuncts of settlement.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

He used two types of burners, the Argand and the cockspur.

From Artificial Light Its Influence upon Civilization by Luckiesh, Matthew

Large plains, with thorny jungles and bushes of the long cockspur thorn interspersed, formed the character of the ground.

From The Rifle and the Hound in Ceylon by Baker, Samuel White, Sir

All the year long the cockspur thorn is a beautiful, ornamental tree and a competent hedge plant, popular alike in Europe and America.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen

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 The Bird Study Book by Pearson, Thomas Gilbert