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1. Dictionary

   spur

   /spəː/

   noun

   • 1. a device with a small spike or a spiked wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used for urging a horse forward.
   • ▪ a horny spike on the back of the leg of a cock or male game bird, used in fighting.
   • ▪ a steel point fastened to the leg of a gamecock.
   • 2. a thing that prompts or encourages someone; an incentive: "wars act as a spur to practical invention" Similar stimulusincentiveencouragementstimulantstimulationinducementimpetusprodpromptincitementgoadfillipmotivemotivationinformal:kick up the backsideshot in the armOpposite disincentivediscouragement
   • 3. a projection from a mountain or mountain range: "it's an easy walk up the spur that leads to the summit"
   • ▪ a short branch road or railway line.
   • ▪ a slender tubular projection from the base of a flower, e.g. a honeysuckle or orchid, typically containing nectar.
   • ▪ a short fruit-bearing side shoot.
   • ▪ a short pointed growth or process on a part of the body.
   • 4. a small, single-pointed support for ceramic ware in a kiln.

   verb

   • 1. urge (a horse) forward by digging one's spurs into its sides: "she spurred her horse towards the hedge"
   • 2. give an incentive or encouragement to (someone): "her sons' passion for computer games spurred her on to set up a software business"
   • ▪ promote the development of; stimulate: "governments cut interest rates to spur demand"
   • 3. prune in (a side shoot of a plant) so as to form a spur close to the stem: "spur back the lateral shoots"

   Word Origin Old Englishspora, spura, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch spoor and German Sporn, also to spurn.

   Derivatives

   • 1. spurless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • U

     1

   • R

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSPUR | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   SPUR definition: 1. to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster: 2. to push spurs into the…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spurSpur Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spur

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   Oct 24, 2012 · : something projecting like or suggesting a spur: such as. a. : a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine. b (1) : a stiff sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect) especially : one on a cock's leg. (2) : a gaff for a gamecock. c. : a hollow projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur or columbine) d.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSPUR definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   1. a pointed device or sharp spiked wheel fixed to the heel of a rider's boot to enable him or her to urge the horse on. 2. anything serving to urge or encourage.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › spurSPUR Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › spur

   • Cached

   Spur definition: a U-shaped device that slips over and straps to the heel of a riding boot and has a blunt or pointed metal part projecting from the back. See examples of SPUR used in a sentence.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySPUR | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   SPUR meaning: 1. to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster: 2. to push spurs into the…. Learn more.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spurSpur - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spur

   To spur something on is to get it going, to encourage it, to hasten it or stimulate. Cowboys wear spiky metal tools called spurs on their boots to kick their horses and spur them to greater speed. Economists talk of lowering interest rates to spur spending.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishMeaning of spur – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   SPUR definition: 1. to encourage someone to do something or something to happen: 2. a sharp, pointed piece of metal…. Learn more.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishspur noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   [usually singular] a fact or an event that makes you want to do something better or more quickly synonym motivation. spur (to something) His speech was a powerful spur to action. A few encouraging words might provide just the spur she needs. spur for something The research provided a spur for reform. Oxford Collocations Dictionary.

10. www.britannica.com › dictionary › spurSpur Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › spur

    • Cached

    SPUR meaning: 1 : a sharp pointed object that is attached to the heel of a horse rider's boot and that is pressed into the horse's side to make the horse go faster; 2 : something that makes you want to do something or that causes something to happen incentive often + to

11. www.wordreference.com › definition › spurspur - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

    www.wordreference.com › definition › spur

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    n. a U -shaped device that slips over and straps to the heel of a boot and has a blunt, pointed, or roweled projection at the back for use by a mounted rider to urge a horse forward. anything that goads, impels, or urges, as to action, speed, or achievement. See climbing iron.