spur

/spə:/
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spur

A cowboy uses his spurs to urge his horse forward.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A sharp device worn on a rider's heel: A small metal tool with a pointed wheel or spike, attached to a rider's boot heel to urge a horse forward by pressure.
    • A thing that prompts or encourages action: Something that serves as a stimulus or incentive.
    • A projecting part or point: A thing that projects sharply, such as a ridge extending from a mountain or a pointed growth on a bird's leg or a flower's petal.
    • A short branch road or railway line: A secondary track or line connected to a main one.

  2. Verb:

    • To urge a horse forward: To use spurs or one's heels to encourage a horse to go faster.
    • To encourage or stimulate: To prompt someone to act or to accelerate the development of something.
    • To equip with spurs: To attach spurs to something.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The cowboy's silver spur jingled as he walked.
    • Winning the first round was the spur he needed to continue the competition.
    • The flower has a long spur at its base.
    • The factory is located on a rail spur off the main line.

  • Verb:

    • She had to spur her horse to jump the fence.
    • The new grant is intended to spur innovation in renewable energy.
    • The knights were spurred for the ceremony.
Advanced Usage

  • "On the spur of the moment": Acting suddenly based on impulse, without prior planning.

    • We decided to go to the beach on the spur of the moment.

  • "To win one's spurs": To prove one's ability or earn recognition for the first time.

    • The young reporter won her spurs with that groundbreaking investigation.
Variants and Related Words

  • Spurred (adj): Having spurs attached.

    • He wore spurred boots.

  • Spurring (n): The action of urging or encouraging.

    • Her constant spurring finally got him to apply for the job.
Synonyms
  • Noun: Incentive, stimulus, impetus, goad, prod, incitement.
  • Verb: Encourage, stimulate, prompt, incite, goad, prod.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Spur on: To encourage someone to continue or try harder.
    • The cheering crowd spurred the team on to victory.
Related Idioms

  • To need the spur: To be lazy or slow and require encouragement.

    • This project is behind schedule; the team seems to need the spur.

  • To spur a willing horse: To try to encourage someone who is already motivated (often implies unnecessary or excessive urging).

    • He's already working late every night; telling him to try harder is just spurring a willing horse.
spur

A cowboy uses his spurs to urge his horse forward.

Noun
  1. a railway line connected to a trunk line
  2. 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
  3. tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers
  4. any sharply pointed projection
  5. a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
    • the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves
Verb
  1. equip with spurs
    • spur horses
  2. goad with spurs
    • the rider spurred his horse
  3. strike with a spur
  4. give heart or courage to
  5. incite or stimulate
    • The Academy was formed to spur research

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