| spur (spûr) 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. Something that serves as a goad or incentive. 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. A short or stunted branch of a tree. e. A bony outgrowth or protuberance. 4. A lateral ridge projecting from a mountain or mountain range. 5. An oblique reinforcing prop or stay of timber or masonry. 6. Botany A tubular or saclike extension of the corolla or calyx of a flower, as in a columbine or larkspur. 7. An ergot growing on rye. 8. A spur track. v. spurred, spur·ring, spurs v.tr. 1. To urge (a horse) on by the use of spurs. 2. To incite or stimulate: "A business tax cut is needed to spur industrial investment" (New York Times). v.intr. 1. To ride quickly by spurring a horse. 2. To proceed in haste. [Middle English spure, from Old English spura; see sper  - in Indo-European roots.] |
spurring - a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something; "the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves"How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|