No Encyclopedia Entry for Spur Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language 1. (n.) A sparrow. 2. (n.) A tern. 3. (n.) An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge of knighthood. 4. (n.) That which goads to action; an incitement. 5. (n.) Something that projects; a snag. 6. (n.) One of the large or principal roots of a tree. 7. (n.) Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain birds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock's leg. 8. (n.) A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles. 9. (n.) A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber. 10. (n.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut. 11. (n.) The short wooden buttress of a post. 12. (n.) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage. 13. (n.) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur. 14. (n.) Ergotized rye or other grain. 15. (n.) A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall. 16. (n.) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side. 17. (n.) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam can not be placed. 18. (v. t.) To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to urge or goad; as, to spur a horse. 19. (v. t.) To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive. 20. (v. t.) To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot. 21. (v. i.) To spur on one' horse; to travel with great expedition; to hasten; hence, to press forward in any pursuit.
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