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Meaning of spur in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /spər/

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  1. Verb

    spur

    Definitions

    1. incite or stimulate

    Examples

    • « The Academy was formed to spur research »

    Derived terms

    • goad
    • goading
    • prod
    • prodding
    • spurring
    • urging
  2. 2. give heart or courage to

    Derived terms

    • goad
    • goading
    • prod
    • prodding
    • spurring
    • urging
  3. 3. strike with a spur

    Derived terms

    • spine
  4. 4. goad with spurs

    Examples

    • « the rider spurred his horse »

    Derived terms

    • gad
  5. 5. equip with spurs

    Examples

    • « spur horses »

    Derived terms

    • gad
  6. 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

    • egg on
    • exhort
    • goad
    • incite
    • needle
    • press
    • prod
    • urge
    • urge on
  7. 2. any pointed projection
  8. 3. tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers
  9. 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 »
  10. 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

Browse dictionary

  • spun yarn
  • spun sugar
  • spunky
  • spunk
  • spur
  • spur-of-the-moment
  • spurge
  • spurge family
  • spurge laurel
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