cockspur
Americannoun
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a North American hawthorn, Crataegus crus-galli, having leathery, toothed leaves and red fruit, cultivated as a small ornamental tree.
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a gaslight burner having three jets.
noun
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a spur on the leg of a cock
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an annual grass, Echinochloa crus-galli, widely distributed in tropical and warm temperate regions
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a small thorny North American hawthorn tree, Crataegus crus-galli
Etymology
Origin of cockspur
First recorded in 1585–95; for cock's spur
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
It was somewhat more efficient than the cockspur burner.
From Artificial Light Its Influence upon Civilization by Matthew Luckiesh
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 Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers
The gas-burner first employed by Murdock received the name "cockspur" from the shape of the flame.
From Artificial Light Its Influence upon Civilization by Matthew Luckiesh
He used two types of burners, the Argand and the cockspur.
From Artificial Light Its Influence upon Civilization by Matthew Luckiesh
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
