spur
1[ spur ]
/ spɜr /
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noun
verb (used with object), spurred, spur·ring.
verb (used without object), spurred, spur·ring.
to goad or urge one's horse with spurs or a spur; ride quickly.
to proceed hurriedly; press forward: We spurred onward through the night.
SYNONYMS FOR spur
1, 2 goad.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Idioms for spur
on the spur of the moment, without deliberation; impulsively; suddenly: We headed for the beach on the spur of the moment.
win one's spurs, to achieve distinction or success for the first time; prove one's ability or worth: Our team hasn't won its spurs yet.
Origin of spur
1First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English spure, Old English spura; cognate with Old High German sporo, Old Norse spori “spur”; akin to spurn; (verb) Middle English spuren, derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM spur
spurless, adjectivespurlike, adjectivespurrer, nounDefinition for spur (2 of 2)
spur2
[ spur ]
/ spɜr /
noun Papermaking.
a batch of newly made rag-paper sheets.
Origin of spur
2First recorded in 1880–85; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for spur
British Dictionary definitions for spur
spur
/ (spɜː) /
noun
verb spurs, spurring or spurred
Word Origin for spur
Old English spura; related to Old Norse spori, Old High German sporo
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for spur
spur
[ spûr ]
n.
A spine or projection from a bone.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for spur
spur
[ spûr ]
A small ridge that projects sharply from the side of a larger hill or mountain.
A projection from a bone, as on the heel of the foot.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with spur
spur
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.