Meaning of spur in English

Table of contents

Verb
spur
Definitions
1. incite or stimulate
Examples
- « The Academy was formed to spur research »
Derived terms
2. give heart or courage to
Derived terms
3. strike with a spur
Derived terms
- spine
4. goad with spurs
Examples
- « the rider spurred his horse »
Derived terms
- gad
5. equip with spurs
Examples
- « spur horses »
Derived terms
- gad
Noun
spur
Etymology
Old English spora, spura, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch spoor and German Sporn, also to spurn
Definitions
1. a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
Examples
- « the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves »
Derived terms
2. any pointed projection
3. tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers
4. a sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward
Examples
- « cowboys know not to squat with their spurs on »
5. a railway line connected to a trunk line

Famous quotes

« My perfect day is constantly changing. Right now, it would be to lie around in a hammock reading with a portable phone and a table of food next to it. I would spend all day there. And that's all that I can possibly come up with on the spur of the moment. »
Eric Stoltz
« Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is the talent of youth, and judgment of age. »
Jonathan Swift
« Today, the forces of competition, technology, and globalization have converged to spur innovation and to transform the way business is done in the securities industry. »
Arthur Levitt
« For what the horse does under compulsion, as Simon also observes, is done without understanding and there is no beauty in it either, any more than if one should whip and spur a dancer. »
Xenophon
« Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger. »
Benjamin Disraeli