Hypertext Webster Gateway: "spur"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spur \Spur\, n.
1. (Mining) A branch of a vein.
2. The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spur \Spur\, n. [See {Sparrow}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A sparrow. [Scot.]
(b) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spur \Spur\, n. [OE. spure, AS. spura, spora; akin to D. spoor,
G. sporn, OHG. sporo, Icel. spori, Dan. spore, Sw. sporre,
and to AS. spor a trace, footstep, spyrian to trace, track,
examine, and E. spurn. [root]171. Cf. {Sparrow}, {Spere},
{Spoor}, {Spurn}.]
1. An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a
horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs
have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs
were the badge of knighthood.
And on her feet a pair of spurs large. --Chaucer.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spur \Spur\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spurred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Spurring}.]
1. To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to
urge or goad; as, to spur a horse.
2. To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous
pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to
instigate; to impel; to drive.
Love will not be spurred to what it loathes. --Shak.
3. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spur \Spur\, v. i.
To spur on one' horse; to travel with great expedition; to
hasten; hence, to press forward in any pursuit. ``Now spurs
the lated traveler.'' --Shak.
The Parthians shall be there, And, spurring from the
fight, confess their fear. --Dryden.
The roads leading to the capital were covered with
multitudes of yeomen, spurring hard to Westminster.
--Macaulay.
Some bold men, . . . by spurring on, refine themselves.
--Grew.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
spur
n 1: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something;
"the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves" [syn: {goad},
{goading}, {prod}, {prodding}, {urging}, {spurring}]
2: any pointed projection [syn: {spine}]
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; "cowboys know not to squat with their spurs
on" [syn: {gad}]
5: a railway line connected to a trunk line [syn: {branch line},
{spur track}]
v 1: incite or stimulate; "The Academy was formed to spur
research"
2: give heart or courage to [syn: {goad}]
3: strike with a spur
4: goad with spurs, as of horses when riding
5: equip with spurs: "spur horses"
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