Background for spur

spur

/spɜː/ /spɝ/

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noun

A rigid implement, often roughly y-shaped, that is fixed to one's heel for the purpose of prodding a horse. Often worn by, and emblematic of, the cowboy or the knight.

Examples :

"The cowboy's spur glinted in the sun as he prepared to ride. "

wear animal utensil vehicle history tradition military style item

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noun

A jab given with the spurs.

Examples :

"The horse's rider used the spur to encourage the animal to move faster. "

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noun

Anything that inspires or motivates, as a spur does a horse.

Examples :

"The desire to help others acted as a spur to her volunteering work at the soup kitchen. "

action achievement attitude

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noun

An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster.

Examples :

"The rooster's spur scratched the ground as it pecked for food. "

animal body part

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noun

Any protruding part connected at one end, for instance a highway that extends from another highway into a city.

Examples :

""The highway spur led directly into the downtown area, making it easy to access the city center." "

part place geography traffic

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noun

Roots, tree roots.

Examples :

"The old oak tree's massive spur spread out wide, anchoring it firmly in the ground. "

plant part nature biology

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noun

A mountain that shoots from another mountain or range and extends some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.

Examples :

"The hiking trail wound around the mountain, eventually leading up a prominent spur that jutted out towards the valley. "

geography geology nature

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noun

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.

Examples :

"The old whaling museum displayed a rusty iron spur, explaining how sailors once used it for grip while harvesting blubber from whales. "

nautical utensil animal work wear job sailing

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noun

A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, such as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.

Examples :

"The carpenter added a wooden spur to the bookshelf to prevent the shelf from sagging under the weight of the books. "

architecture part building

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noun

The short wooden buttress of a post.

Examples :

"The carpenter added a small spur to the post to strengthen it. "

architecture part building

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noun

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.

Examples :

"The intricate spur on the antique column added a decorative touch to the library's entrance. "

architecture art building

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noun

Ergotized rye or other grain.

Examples :

"The farmer noticed a crop failure in his rye field, likely due to spur. "

substance food medicine plant agriculture

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noun

A wall in a fortification that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.

Examples :

"The castle's spur connected the outer rampart to the inner keep. "

architecture military structure

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noun

A piece of timber fixed on the bilgeways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side.

Examples :

"The shipwrights carefully placed the spur on the bilgeways before they launched the new sailboat. "

nautical building

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noun

A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam cannot be placed.

Examples :

"The carpenter used a spur to help support the overhanging section of the wooden deck where a main beam couldn't fit. "

architecture building

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noun

A branch of a vein.

Examples :

"The doctor carefully examined the spur on the patient's leg vein. "

anatomy physiology organ body part

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noun

A very short branch line of a railway line.

Examples :

"The train left the main track and slowly traveled down a short spur to reach the factory. "

vehicle technical system

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noun

A short thin side shoot from a branch, especially one that bears fruit or, in conifers, the shoots that bear the leaves.

Examples :

"The apple farmer pruned the tree, careful not to damage the short, fruit-bearing spurs. "

biology plant nature part

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verb

To prod (especially a horse) on the side or flank, with the intent to urge motion or haste, to gig.

Examples :

"The farmer spurred his horse forward to get to the market on time. "

animal action vehicle

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verb

To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object

Examples :

"Hearing the applause spurred her to finish the marathon strong. "

action attitude

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verb

To put spurs on.

Examples :

"to spur boots"

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verb

To press forward; to travel in great haste.

Examples :

"The urgent message spurred him to leave immediately for the airport. "

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noun

Examples :

"We saw a spur flying along the shoreline, searching for small fish. "

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noun

A spurious tone, one that interferes with a signal in a circuit and is often masked underneath that signal.

Examples :

"The technician isolated the faint spur of unwanted signal that was causing static in the radio broadcast. "

electronics signal sound technology frequency device

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noun

The track of an animal, such as an otter; a spoor.

Examples :

"The dog followed the otter's spur through the tall grass. "

animal nature sign

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verb

To ask, to inquire

Examples :

"After the lecture, a student rose to spur the professor on the topic of climate change. "

language communication