Yahoo Web Search

Search results

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

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   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

   • Cached

   The meaning of SPUR is a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse. How to use spur in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Spur.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

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

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   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.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › spurSpur - definition of spur by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spur

   • Cached

   n. 1. A short spike or spiked wheel that attaches to the heel of a rider's boot and is used to urge a horse forward. 2. An incentive: a spur to action. 3. A spurlike attachment or projection, as: a. A spinelike process on the leg of some birds. b. A climbing iron; a crampon. c. A gaff attached to the leg of a gamecock. d.

8. 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.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishSPUR | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

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

10. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionspur noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

    • Cached

    [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.

11. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishspur verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

    • Cached

    Definition of spur verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.