Background for spurs

spurs

/spɝz/

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verb

To ask, to inquire

Examples :

"The teacher often spurs students to think critically by asking open-ended questions. "

communication language

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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 adjusted his spurs before mounting his horse. "

utensil wear animal vehicle culture history

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noun

A jab given with the spurs.

Examples :

"The rider used the spurs to encourage the horse to move faster. "

animal action sport

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noun

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

Examples :

"The upcoming exam was a spur to her studying. "

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noun

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

Examples :

"The rooster scratched in the dirt, showing off his sharp spurs on the back of his legs. "

animal part anatomy bird

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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 had several spurs leading into the smaller towns along the coast." "

area part place way traffic

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noun

Roots, tree roots.

Examples :

"The spurs of the old oak tree snaked across the garden path, making it difficult to walk. "

plant nature part 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 :

"From the summit, we could see several spurs branching out from the main mountain range, like fingers extending across 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 whalers attached their spurs to their boots before stepping onto the slippery whale carcass to begin cutting the blubber. "

nautical utensil job animal wear technical item device

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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 wooden spurs to the shed's rafters to reinforce the roof against heavy snow. "

architecture part building

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noun

The short wooden buttress of a post.

Examples :

"The old fence post, weakened by rot, was reinforced with wooden spurs to keep it upright. "

architecture part

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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 ancient Roman column base featured elegant spurs carved with acanthus leaves, connecting the round column to the square base. "

architecture art material

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noun

Ergotized rye or other grain.

Examples :

"The farmer worried that the dark, hardened spurs growing on his rye grain might contaminate the whole harvest. "

plant medicine food 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 engineers added spurs to the castle wall to make it stronger against attacks, connecting the outer rampart to the inner structure. "

architecture military

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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 :

"Before launching the new ship, workers carefully checked each of the spurs, ensuring they were securely bolted to the side to prevent damage during the slide into the water. "

nautical sailing structure

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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 :

"Because a supporting wall blocked the installation of a full beam, the carpenter used spurs to help support the new deck. "

architecture nautical

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noun

A branch of a vein.

Examples :

"The doctor pointed out the small spurs branching off the main vein in the leg on the ultrasound image. "

anatomy organ part

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noun

A very short branch line of a railway line.

Examples :

"The freight train used the spurs to deliver goods directly to the factory loading docks. "

vehicle technical industry

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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 tree has many spurs where the blossoms and apples will grow next spring. "

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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 rider spurs the horse forward as they approach the final jump in the race. "

animal action vehicle

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verb

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

Examples :

"The upcoming deadline spurs me to finish my report. "

action attitude tendency

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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 :

"Hearing the fire alarm, everyone spurred forward towards the exit. "

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noun

Examples :

"While walking along the beach, I saw several spurs soaring overhead, diving into the ocean to catch 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 engineer identified several spurs in the radio receiver's output, causing static and distorting the intended broadcast. "

electronics signal frequency sound technology

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noun

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

Examples :

"The muddy bank revealed the otter's spurs, leading towards the river. "

animal nature mark environment