cockspur

American  

[kok-spur] / ˈkɒkˌspɜr /

noun

1. a North American hawthorn, Crataegus crus-galli, having leathery, toothed leaves and red fruit, cultivated as a small ornamental tree.

2. a gaslight burner having three jets.

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cockspur British  

/ ˈkɒkˌspɜː /

noun

1. a spur on the leg of a cock

2. an annual grass, Echinochloa crus-galli, widely distributed in tropical and warm temperate regions

3. a small thorny North American hawthorn tree, Crataegus crus-galli

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Etymology

Origin of cockspur

First recorded in 1585–95; for cock's spur

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cockspur

All the year long the cockspur thorn is a beautiful, ornamental tree and a competent hedge plant, popular alike in Europe and America.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Julia Ellen Rogers

When Australia was first colonised, any sensible man might have foreboded sorrel, cockspur, Scotch thistle, &c., as unwelcome, but unavoidable, adjuncts of settlement.

From Such Is Life by Joseph Furphy

The shape and general appearance of this tube has procured for it, among the workmen, the name of the "cockspur" burner.

From Gas Burners Old and New by Owen Merriman

In the way of fruit-bearing shade trees he recommends sugar maple, flowering dogwood, white and cockspur thorn, native red mulberry, tupelo, black cherry, choke cherry, and mountain ash.

From The Bird Study Book by Thomas Gilbert Pearson

The cockspur thorn is a small, handsome tree, fifteen to twenty feet high, with stiff branches in a broad round head.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Julia Ellen Rogers