Spur

Spur Spur, n. [OE. spure, spore, 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. [1913 Webster]

And on her feet a pair of spurs large. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]

2. That which goads to action; an incitement. [1913 Webster]

Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble mind) To scorn delights and live laborious days. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. Something that projects; a snag. [1913 Webster]

4. One of the large or principal roots of a tree. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. (Zo["o]l.) Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain birds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock's leg. [1913 Webster]

6. A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles. [1913 Webster]

7. A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber. [1913 Webster]

8. (Carp.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut. [1913 Webster]

9. (Arch.) (a) The short wooden buttress of a post. (b) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage. [1913 Webster]

10. (Bot.) (a) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur. --Gray. (b) Ergotized rye or other grain. [R.] [1913 Webster]

11. (Fort.) A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall. [1913 Webster]

12. (Shipbuilding) (a) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side. (b) A curved piece of timber serving as a half beam to support the deck where a whole beam can not be placed. [1913 Webster]

13. (Mining) A branch of a vein. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

14. The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Spur fowl} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Asiatic gallinaceous birds of the genus {Galloperdix}, allied to the jungle fowl. The males have two or more spurs on each leg.

{Spur gear} (Mach.), a cogwheel having teeth which project radially and stand parallel to the axis; a spur wheel.

{Spur gearing}, gearing in which spur gears are used. See under {Gearing}.

{Spur pepper}. (Bot.) See the Note under {Capsicum}.

{Spur wheel}. Same as {Spur gear}, above. [1913 Webster]