spur

¹

[ spur ]

noun

1. 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.
2. anything that urges or drives someone to act, hurry, etc.:

   A passion to win the championship was the spur that galvanized him to train like never before.

   Synonyms: instigation, provocation, inducement, incentive, stimulus, incitement, goad

3. Also called climbing spur. climbing iron ( def ).
4. Ornithology. a stiff, usually sharp, horny process on the leg of various birds, especially the domestic rooster, or on the bend of the wing, as in jacanas and screamers.
5. Pathology. bone spur ( def ).
6. 1. a sharp piercing or cutting instrument fastened to the leg of a gamecock in cockfighting; gaff.
   2. anything resembling this instrument; a sharp projection or attachment.
7. Physical Geography. a ridge or line of elevation projecting from or subordinate to the main body of a mountain or mountain range.
8. a short or stunted branch or shoot, as of a tree.
9. Typography. a short, seriflike projection from the bottom of the short vertical stroke in the capital G in some fonts.
10. wing dam ( def ).
11. Botany.
    1. a slender, usually hollow, projection from some part of a flower, as from the calyx of the larkspur or the corolla of the violet.
    2. Also called spur shoot. a short shoot bearing flowers, as in fruit trees.
12. Architecture.
    1. a short wooden brace, usually temporary, for strengthening a post or some other part.
    2. any offset from a wall, as a buttress.
    3. griffe ².
13. Ceramics. a triangular support of refractory clay for an object being fired.
14. Railroads. spur track ( def ).

verb (used with object)

, spurred, spur·ring.

1. to prick or urge with or as if with a spur or spurs; incite or drive (often used with on ):

   The rider spurred his mount into a wild gallop.

   Their encouragement spurred her on to achieve even more.

   Synonyms: instigate, induce, inspire, impel, stimulate, provoke, goad

   Antonyms: discourage

2. (of a gamecock) to strike or wound with a spur.
3. to furnish with spurs or a spur.

verb (used without object)

, spurred, spur·ring.

1. to goad or urge one's horse on with spurs or a spur; ride quickly:

   Horsemen spurred along every road to carry the news over the country.

2. to proceed hurriedly; press forward:

   We spurred onward through the night.

spur

²

[ spur ]

noun

, Papermaking.

1. a batch of newly made rag-paper sheets.

spur

/ spɜː /

noun

1. a pointed device or sharp spiked wheel fixed to the heel of a rider's boot to enable him to urge his horse on
2. anything serving to urge or encourage

   the increase in salary was a spur to their production

3. a sharp horny projection from the leg just above the claws in male birds, such as the domestic cock
4. a pointed process in any of various animals; calcar
5. a tubular extension at the base of the corolla in flowers such as larkspur
6. a short or stunted branch of a tree
7. a ridge projecting laterally from a mountain or mountain range
8. a wooden prop or a masonry reinforcing pier
9. another name for groyne
10. Also calledspur track a railway branch line or siding
11. a short side road leading off a main road

    a motorway spur

12. a sharp cutting instrument attached to the leg of a gamecock
13. on the spur of the moment
    on impulse
14. win one's spurs
    1. history to earn knighthood
    2. to prove one's ability; gain distinction

verb

1. tr to goad or urge with or as if with spurs
2. intr to go or ride quickly; press on
3. tr to injure or strike with a spur
4. tr to provide with a spur or spurs

spur

/ spûr /

1. A small ridge that projects sharply from the side of a larger hill or mountain.
2. A projection from a bone, as on the heel of the foot.

Other Words From

• spur·less adjective
• spur·like adjective
• spur·rer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spur¹

First recorded before 900; (for the noun) Middle English noun spore, spor(re), Old English spora, spura; cognate with Old High German sporo, Old Norse spori “spur”; verb derivative of the noun; akin to spurn

Origin of spur²

First recorded in 1880–85; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of spur¹

Old English spura; related to Old Norse spori, Old High German sporo

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the spur of the moment, without deliberation; impulsively; suddenly:

   We headed for the beach on the spur of the moment.

2. win one's spurs, to achieve distinction or success for the first time; prove one's ability or worth:

   Our team hasn't won its spurs yet.

More idioms and phrases containing spur

In addition to the idiom beginning with spur , also see on the spur of the moment ; win one's spurs .

Example Sentences

Her announcement, however, underscores her commitment to advancing comprehensive food policy reform during her final term in office and could spur some progress on the essential legislation.

From Salon

Johnson died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a caesarean section eight years ago, spurring a public uproar and lawsuits by her husband against Cedars-Sinai and several physicians, which were ultimately settled.

From Los Angeles Times

“If anything, this pregnancy has spurred me on”, she said.

From BBC

Remini has been an outspoken critic of Scientology and her 2015 book, “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology,” helped spur the series, the first season of which is currently available to stream on Discovery+.

From New York Times

The study found that the adjuvant encouraged a mucosal immune response, spurring the activation of immune cells in the respiratory tract critical for halting the bacteria's ability to colonize.

From Science Daily