cockspur

[kok-spur]

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.

cockspur

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cockspur¹

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

Example Sentences

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

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

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These props have fanciful names, such as "spurs," "stilts," "cockspurs," etc.

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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.

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It was somewhat more efficient than the cockspur burner.

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