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

The size of the flame being, in comparison with that of the cockspur, so much larger proportionately to the metal burner, the cooling effect of the latter was not so apparent.

From Gas Burners Old and New by Merriman, Owen

It was somewhat more efficient than the cockspur burner.

From Artificial Light Its Influence upon Civilization by Luckiesh, Matthew

There was a bush resembling our hawthorn, which, on examination, proved to be the cockspur hawthorn, with fruit as large as cherries, pulpy, and of a pleasant tartness not much unlike to tamarinds.

From The Backwoods of Canada Being Letters From The Wife of an Emigrant Officer, Illustrative of the Domestic Economy of British America by Traill, Catharine Parr Strickland

The little lady hath no shoon, no skirt that holds together, save by the grace of cockspur thorns that bind the tatters.

From The Hidden Children by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

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 Rogers, Julia Ellen