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单词 spur
释义

spurn.1

Brit. /spəː/, U.S. /spər/
Forms: α. Old English–Middle English spora, Middle English–1500s (1800s dialect) spore, Middle English spor, Middle English–1500s sporre. β. Old English spura, Middle English, north, and Scottish1500s–1600s spure (Middle English northern spvyre), 1500s spoore. γ. 1500s–1600s spurre (1600s spirre), Middle English– spur (1500s–1600s spurr).
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English spora , spura , = Old Frisian *spora (West Frisian spoar , North Frisian spöör ), Old Saxon spora (Middle Dutch spore , spoor ; Dutch spoor , West Flemish spoore , sporre ), Middle Low German spore , spare , Old High German sporo (Middle High German spore , spor , German sporen , now sporn ), Old Norse and Icelandic spori (Norwegian and Danish spore , Swedish sporre ). The stem is possibly the same as that of spoor n.1
I. A device to incite a horse to move forward, and related uses; a goad.
1.
a. A device for pricking the side of a horse in order to urge it forward, consisting of a small spike or spiked wheel attached to the rider's heel.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [noun] > art of horse-riding > use of hands and legs > using spurs > spur
spurc725
Ripon1631
heel spur1687
prick spur1688
Brummagem1823
goad spur1838
boot-spur1847
tormentor1875
α.
c725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) C 93 Calcar, spora.
a1175 Cott. Hom. 243 Þu ahst to habben..swrd and spere, Stede and twei sporen.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 11280 He smot stede wiþ þe spore.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 40 Whan the scharpnesse of the spore The horse side smit so sore, It grieveth ofte.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 818 At þe yssue of þe doren Tholomeus dude on his sporen.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Ordre of Chyualry (1926) vi. 79 The spores ben gyuen to a knyght to sygnefye dylygence and swyftnesse.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 165 He smote the mule wyth the sporis.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxxi. 292 He strake the good horse with the sporres.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Biiiv Alasse where is my botes and my spores.
β. c1000 Ælfric De Veteri et de Novo Test. (Grein) 18 Iohannes þa heow þæt hors mid þam spuran.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11863 He..duden on his uoten spuren [c1300 Otho spores] swiðe gode...[and] leop on his stede.c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1676 Þe stede, þat he onne sat, Smot Ubbe with spures faste, And forth awey.14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 703 Hec calcar, a spure.c1475 Cath. Angl. 357/1 Spvyre,..calcar.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) viii. 79 With spurys he strak the steid of pris.1547 in Accts. Ld. High Treasurer Scotl. (1911) IX. 68 Brydill, spures, gyrthis, stirrep irnis.1588 in Lancs. & Cheshire Wills (Chetham Soc.) 149 One pair of spures.c1657 W. Mure Hist. Rowallane in Wks. (1898) II. 243 For yearlie payment of..ane paire of spures.γ. 1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aii With spurris spedely yai [= thai] speid Our fellis.1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxxxiv. 161 He toke his horse with the spurres, and came on the skirmysshe warde.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10942 Two spurres full spedely [they] spent on his helis.1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxxv He hearde the spurres strike on the stayres whan the murtherer ranne hastely downe.1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. ix. 147 Beasts..stay there, so as there is no spurre can make them goe forward.1660 J. Childrey Britannia Baconica 46 They found nothing, but an old Spur.1717 Dict. Rusticum (ed. 2) (at cited word) Obedience to the Spurs is a necessary Quality of a good Horse.1781 W. Cowper Anti-Thelypthora 191 He spoke indignant, and his spurs applied..to his good palfrey's side.1815 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) XII. 552 A pair of Spurs taken from Buonaparte.1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. xvi. 289 The horse wanted no spur under such a rider.proverbial.1618 T. Gainsford True Hist. P. Warbeck 9 Little needed a spur (saith our Prouerb) to a forward horse.
b. Used in singular in generalized sense.
ΚΠ
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8169 Hor hors..nolde after wille Siwe noþer spore no bridel.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2569 For he him dredde swiþe sore, So runci spore, and mikle more.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 321 This kniht..With spore made his hors to gon.
1580 T. Blundeville Foure Offices Horsemanship (rev. ed.) T v If he be more slowe..in his trotting, or gallopping, harder of spurre than he was woont to be.
1596 L. Mascall Bk. Cattell 189 If spurre and wande will not profit.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 98 You may ride's With one soft Kisse a thousand Furlongs, ere With Spur we heat an Acre. View more context for this quotation
1802 in W. Scott Minstrelsy Sc. Border I. 129 He has call'd him forty Marchmen bauld, With spur on heel and splent on spauld.
1831 W. Youatt Horse iv. 49 The [race-] horse,..without whip or spur, will generally exert his energies to the utmost to beat his opponent.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 171 They..Set lance in rest, strike spur, suddenly move.
proverbial.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 436 It is to hard to kyke aȝen þe spore. [Cf. prick n. 9.]1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 636/1 They..will get nothing by it, for they kicke against the spurre.
c. gilt (also †gilded) spurs, as the distinctive mark of a knight. Now Historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > symbol of rank > [noun] > specific insignia of knight
gilt (also gilded) spurs1377
false stirrupc1485
orle1834
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 14 Þe kynde of a knyȝte þat cometh to be dubbed, To geten hem gylte spores.
a1400 Coer de L. 5346 Syxty thousand ther wer telde, Off gylte spores in the felde.
1480 W. Caxton Higden's Polychron. viii. xxvi He toke sire Umfrayes salade and this brygantyns.., and also his gylt spores.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. cxcj He was disgraded of the high ordre of knighthode..by cuttyng of his gylt sporres.
1604 J. Marston & J. Webster Malcontent (new ed.) i. viii. sig. C4 As your knight courtes your Citty wi[dow] with jingling of his guilt spurres.
1641–54 J. Mennes & J. Smith Musarum Deliciæ (1817) II. 32 Gilded spurres do jingle at his heeles.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Anciently the Difference between the Knight and Esquire was, that the Knight wore gilt Spurs,..and the 'Squire silver'd ones.
1808 W. Scott Marmion i. vii. 29 Behind him rode two gallant squires..They burned the gilded spurs to claim.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ix, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 249 Here, strike me this man's gilt spurs from his heels with thy cleaver.
1879 Encycl. Brit. IX. 544 The ‘Day of the Spurs’ was a fitting name for a carnage after which four thousand gilt spurs were hung as trophies in Courtrai cathedral.
attributive.1641–54 J. Mennes & J. Smith Musarum Deliciæ (1817) II. 176 Battas believed..That yonder guilt-spur spruce and velvet youth Was some great personage.
d. With distinctive modifiers, denoting various makes or kinds.
ΚΠ
a1400 Octouian 1447 A peyre sporys of Speyne.
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes i. iii. 53 in Wks. II P. Iu.:..There's an angel, if my Spurres Be not right Rippon. Spu. Giue me neuer a penny If I strike not thorow your bounty with the Rowells.
1636 W. Davenant Witts v. i. sig. I4v With Rowels of Sharpe Ripon Spurs!
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 304/1 A Scotch Spur... This is an old way of making Spurs;..their Spurs were only armed with a sharp point like a Cocks Spur.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 325/1 Some term it a Gag Spur, others a Prick Spur.
1704 J. Swift Disc. Mech. Operat. Spirit ii, in Tale of Tub 310 The former, while it is in the State of a Rider, wears huge Rippon Spurs.
1785 Grose in Archaeol. (1787) 8 111 The rouelle, or wheel spur (so called from the revolution of the spicula about its axis).
1824 S. R. Meyrick Crit. Inq. into Antient Armour I. Introd. p. lxv The [Anglo-Saxon] spur was formed..with a much longer neck, and was called the spear-spur.
1824 S. R. Meyrick Crit. Inq. into Antient Armour I. 12 The..spike of the pryck~spur.
1835 W. Irving Abbotsford §5 Around were hung..a Highland broadsword from Floddenfield; a pair of Rippon spurs from Bannockburn.
1839 C. Knight Pict. Ed. Wks. Shakspere. King John 10 The spur worn [temp. K. John] was the goad or pryck spur, without a rowel.
1885 H. A. Dillon Fairholt's Costume in Eng. (ed. 3) II. (Gloss.) s.v. The rowelled spur first appears..on the brass of Sir John de Creke, 1325.
1885 H. A. Dillon Fairholt's Costume in Eng. (ed. 3) II. (Gloss.) Rippons, spurs; so called from Ripon being famous for their manufacture.
†e. Used in some game or sport. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > other toys > [noun] > others
spurc1450
cock1608
turnel1621
corala1625
house of cardsa1625
Jack-in-the-box1659
(Prince) Rupert's Drops1662
sucker1681
whirligig1686
playbook1694
card house1733
snapper1788
card castle1792
Aaron's bells?1795
Noah's Ark1807
Jacob's ladder1820
cat-stairs1825
daisy chain1841
beanbag1861
playboat1865
piñata1868
teething ring1872
weet-weet1878
tumble-over1883
water cracker1887
jumping-bean1889
play money1894
serpentin1894
comforter1898
pacifier1901
dummy1903
bubble water1904
yo-yo1915
paper airplane1921
snowstorm1926
titty1927
teaser1935
Slinky1948
teether1949
Mr Potato Head1952
squeeze toy1954
Frisbee1957
mobile1957
chew toy1959
water-rocket1961
Crazy Foam1965
playshop1967
war toy1973
waterball1974
pull-along1976
transformer1984
Aerobie1985
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 134 Þe v. inche is harlotrie, makyng iapys a-forn folk, in pleying at þe spore, at þe bene, at þe cat, in ledyng berys & apys.
f. battle (also day or †journey) of (the) spurs: (see quots. 1831, 1837).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > [noun] > battle or a battle > specific battle
battle (also day or journey) of (the) spurs1548
Black Saturday1576
(a)
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. xxxiijv The Frenchemen call this battaille the iourney of Spurres by cause thei ranne away so faste on horsbacke.
1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. iii. 8 It was called the battell of Spurres, for that they used more their spurres in running away, then their Launces in fighting.
1831 J. Mackintosh Hist. Eng. II. iv. 118 [Hen. VIII] defeated the French army in an engagement [near Guinegate] on the 4th of August, 1513, afterwards called the Battle of the Spurs.
(b)1837 Penny Cycl. VIII. 113/1 The Flemyngs, in 1302,..encountered a French army near to Courtray, and found on the field, after the battle, about 4000 gilt spurs, which caused it to be called the battle of spurs.1842 H. W. Longfellow Belfry of Bruges xv I beheld the Flemish Weavers..Marching homeward from the bloody battle of the Spurs of Gold. 1879 [see sense 1c].
g. Heraldry. The representation of a spur.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > representations of weapons or armour > [noun] > spur
Scotch spur1662
spur1688
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 304/1 He beareth Gules, a Scotch Spur, Or.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 304/1 He beareth Vert, a Spur, Or; Leathered, Argent.
a1773 T. Snelling View Silver Coin Scotl. (1774) 6 From the mullet or spur in the quarters of the cross of this [David Bruce, 1329] and the two following kings, they were after~wards called Spurred Groats.
1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 42 Spur, may be represented in its modern form.
h. transferred. One who wears spurs.
ΚΠ
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. iii. 51 I can..fling my gold as freely about as any of the jingling spurs and white feathers that are around me.
2.
a. In various prepositional or elliptical phrases denoting speed, haste, eagerness, etc.
ΚΠ
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 1427 Tristith wele that I Wole be her champioun with spore and yerd.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. iii. 64 Swits and spurres, swits & spurres, or Ile cry a match.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. v. 36 You haue made shift to run into't, bootes and spurres and all. View more context for this quotation
1630 T. Dekker Second Pt. Honest Whore i. i. 12 Wee shall ride switch and spurre.
1678 V. Alsop Melius Inquirendum Ep. Ded. sig. Aiiv As if they rod post, all upon the switch, and spur for a presentation to a warm parsonage.
1708 W. Sewel Large Dict. Eng. & Dutch ii Spoorslaags ryden,..to ride switch and spur, to gallop with full speed.
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 191 Each fierce Logician..Came whip and spur, and dash'd thro' thin and thick.
1782 W. Cowper Mutual Forbearance in Poems 22 What if he did ride whip and spur, 'Twas but a mile.
1900 Daily Mail 1 Feb. 4/3 The Government would have turned tail but for the fact that Lord Rosebery, in his famous Epsom speech, rode it ‘with spurs’.
†b. at the spur (also at spurs): = on the spur at sense 2c. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swiftly [phrase] > at full speed
full speed1382
with topsailc1400
at spursa1500
on (also upon) the (spurs or) spur1525
amain1555
a main pace (also speed)1567
full tilt?a1600
upon full stretch1697
at full tilt1713
at (also on) full speed1749
(at) full split1836
full chisel1837
(at) full pelt1841
full swing1843
ventre à terre1848
full out1886
at full lick1889
hell-for-leather1889
all out1895
eyes out1895
flat out1932
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xviii. 282 Than will we go down this ryver at the spore.
1535 State P., Hen. VIII (1834) II. 232 Wher Thomas Fittz Gerolde..was dreuen to flye at sporres, and lost dyvers of his men.
c. on (also upon) the (†spurs or) spur (also †upon spur), at full speed, in or with the utmost haste, in literal or figurative use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swiftly [phrase] > at full speed
full speed1382
with topsailc1400
at spursa1500
on (also upon) the (spurs or) spur1525
amain1555
a main pace (also speed)1567
full tilt?a1600
upon full stretch1697
at full tilt1713
at (also on) full speed1749
(at) full split1836
full chisel1837
(at) full pelt1841
full swing1843
ventre à terre1848
full out1886
at full lick1889
hell-for-leather1889
all out1895
eyes out1895
flat out1932
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > with rapid action [phrase] > in haste or in a hurry
in (also on) a resea1400
in haste?1569
on (also upon) the (spurs or) spur1655
(all) in a rush1876
all of a whew1905
(a)
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. viii. 18 Whan we be in the feldes, lette vs ryde on the spurres to Gaunte.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 839/1 He was..reskewed by certen horsemen, whiche..came on the spurres..to the succour of theyr fellows.
(b)1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccxxviij Ryding vpon the spurre, [he] setteth vpon them quickely.1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 23 Lucius..returned and told him, that the enemie fled vpon the Spur.1655 in C. H. Firth Clarke Papers (1899) III. 30 The French Ambassadour seemes not to be all together uppon the spur to be gone.1693 Humours & Conversat. Town 3 By this time our Horses must be ready, and we lose time till we are on the Spur.1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. i. iii. 26 He is not presently upon the Spur, or in his full Carrier.1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opinions (1783) II. xlviii. 31 The servant rode away on the spur, to alarm the family at the mansion-house.1825 W. Scott Betrothed Concl., in Tales Crusaders II. 333 News are on the spur from the Garde Doloureuse.1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess i. 19 And there, All wild to found an University For maidens, on the spur she fled.(c)1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. xi. 49 Alexander.., following vpon spurre, had intelligence that [etc.].1643 O. Cromwell in Carlyle Lett. & Sp. (1861) IV. 252 Haste,—ride on spur.1643 O. Cromwell in Carlyle Lett. & Sp. (1861) IV. 253 Haste, haste, on spur.
d. on (also upon) the spur of the moment (or occasion, etc.), without premeditation or deliberation; on a momentary impulse; impromptu, suddenly, instantly. Hence spur-of-the-moment attributive phr.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > unintentional or unplanned character > [adjective] > unplanned
suddena1300
unpremeditate1551
extemporal1570
unpurposed1570
unmeditated1576
extemporate1590
unpremeditated1597
unplotted1598
extemporary1610
extemporanean1621
extempory1623
impremeditate1647
unthought1648
unresolved1649
extemporate1651
incogitate1652
unprojected1653
indeliberate1655
extemporaneous1656
indeliberated1656
autoschediastical1662
casual1667
offhanda1668
undiscourseda1670
extemporany1673
unplanned1775
impromptu1789
on (also upon) the spur of the moment (or occasion, etc.)1801
autoschediastic1809
impromptuary1827
improvised1833
extemporized1856
spontaneous1856
unconsidered1876
undevised1894
lashed-up1920
ad-libbed1933
willy-nilly1933
off the cuff1948
the mind > will > intention > unintentional or unplanned character > [adverb] > in unplanned manner
suddenly1340
of unwarninga1400
on, upon, rarely of, in (a) suddenty1469
casuallya1549
extemporea1556
of (upon) this sudden1572
extemporally1577
at (the or a) volley1578
on (or o') the volley1578
extrumpery1582
unpremeditately1607
extemporary1610
extempory1623
extemporarily1667
impromptu1669
ad aperturam libri1679
unpremeditatedly1694
impulsively1768
extemporaneously1791
promiscuously1791
spontaneously1799
on (also upon) the spur of the moment (or occasion, etc.)1801
spontaneous1810
promiscuous1826
improvisedly1851
off-handedly1876
at the first jet1878
off the cuff1927
off the top of one's head1939
off the wall1966
(a)
1801 Ann. Reg. 1799 (Otridge ed.) ii. Chron. 27/1 Volunteers, with a party of the Surrey cavalry, attended and prevented the populace in general from taking that step, which, perhaps, the best feelings of human nature had, upon the spur of the moment dictated.
1806 A. Duncan Nelson's Funeral 43 The contrivance of Mr. Wyatt, on the spur of the moment.
1831 R. Blakey Ess. Good & Evil 152 A speaker who gives us a ready reply upon the spur of the moment.
1891 ‘J. S. Winter’ Lumley x. 73 There's nothing like acting on the spur of the moment.
(b)1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. ii. iii. 194 He carried me home on the spur of the occasion.1836 H. Taylor Statesman xxxi. 237 Though compliments should arise naturally out of the occasion, they should not appear to be prompted by the spur of it.1882 B. A. Hinsdale Garfield & Educ. ii. 312 Do not trust to what lazy men call the spur of the occasion.] (c)1834 H. Martineau Moral Many Fables ii. 58 The utmost extent that ingenuity can devise on the spur of a great occasion.1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. vii. 199 The Church..has been consecrated, by supreme decree, on the spur of this time, into a Pantheon.(d)1948 C. Day Lewis Otterbury Incident viii. 94 Toppy is tops at spur-of-the-moment tactics.1958 C. Williams Man in Motion (1959) vii. 77 There's no such thing as a spur-of-the-moment suicide.1978 M. Puzo Fools Die xv. 161 Junkies, alcoholics, amateur pimps, small-scale thieves and spur-of-the-moment rapists.
3. In phrases with verbs:
a. to win one's (also †the) spurs, to gain knighthood by some act of valour; hence, to attain distinction, to achieve one's first honours. Chiefly figurative. Also const. against, from, of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > be or become eminent [verb (intransitive)] > gain fame or eminence
to win (one's) worshipc1175
to win one's shoesa1400
to win one's (also the) spursc1425
c1425 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 980 These xiiii knyghtes made Vyce that day; To wynne theyr spores they seyde they wold asay.
?1539–40 Abp. M. Parker Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 13 The one to labour to win sporis of the other, and to allure the people's minds.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Sj Sennacherib that wicked kyng, thought..to wynne his spurres against Ierusalem.
1595 Enq. Tripe-wife in A. B. Grosart Elizabethan Eng. (1881) 171 It sufficeth that yee haue wonne the spurres from them all.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxx. xxxii. 762 Resolute that day either to winne the spurres or loose the saddle.
1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 291/2 His father nevertheless took him [the Black Prince] along with him to win his spurs..in July, 1346.
1862 G. W. Thornbury Life J. M. W. Turner I. 390 The painter..executed his task with a patience..worthy of one who had to win his spurs.
b. to put (also set) (†the) spurs to, to impel or urge on by spurring; = spur v.1 i. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur
prickc1250
spurc1275
broach1330
prochea1425
strike1487
punye1488
chargea1500
spura1500
dig1530
to put (also set) (the) spurs to1553
spur1582
spura1644
rowel1765
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > bring about by incitement
stirc897
forthclepe?c1000
raisec1175
entice1297
rearc1325
excitea1340
arta1450
provocate?a1475
suscitate1528
to stir upc1530
provoke1535
store1552
concitea1555
upsteer1558
spirit1598
solicit1602
foment1606
fana1616
proritate1620
incite1627
ferment1660
spirita1680
brush1755
whip1805
to put (also set) (the) spurs to1819
fillipa1822
instigate1852
spark-plug1945
whomp1961
(a)
1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. ix. f. 177v He put spores to his horse.
1561 R. Eden in tr. M. Cortés Arte Nauigation Pref. sig. ¶ ivv I may..seme to put the spurres to a runnyng horse, as saith the Prouerbe.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 313 He..put spurres to his horse, and fiercely charged the front of Scanderbegs armie.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives IV. 284 At the same time they put spurs to their horses.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor viii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 170 I must have spurs put to Lady Ashton's motions.
1857 J. G. Holland Bay-path xix. 221 A motive force, by which the spurs were put to resolution.
1889 ‘V. Fane’ Helen Davenant I. 16 He put spurs to his horse as soon as he got outside upon the high road.
(b)1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Incito Settyng spurres to his horse to gallop amonge his ennemies.1588 T. Kyd tr. T. Tasso Housholders Philos. f. 1 Seeing the ayre wexe blacke..I began to set spurs to my Horse.1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. ii. 70 Setting spurs to his horse-side, he cast himselfe..downe headlong.1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. 36 Iohn set spurs to his horse, and made after him.1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor viii*, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 177 The Captain proceeded..to set spurs to her resolution.1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxx. 313 He set spurs to his horse.elliptical.a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iv. v. 64 They..set spurres, and away; like three Germane-diuels. View more context for this quotation1652 J. Wright tr. J.-P. Camus Nature's Paradox vii. 139 Hee set Spurs and hasted after his Companions.a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1646 (1955) II. 512 We set spurrs & endeavor'd to ride away.1811 W. R. Spencer Poems 19 My spurs are set; Away, away.1849 G. P. R. James Woodman II. iii. 36 Quick, spurs to your horse, and away for Sir William.
†c. slang. (See quot. 1770) Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1770 Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 560 To express the Condition of an Honest Fellow and no Flincher, under the Effects of good Fellowship, he is said to [have]..Got a spur in his head; this is said by brother jockies of each other.
4.
a. A stimulus, incentive, or incitement. Also const. of (the particular influence, etc.) and to (a person or persons).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > that which incites or instigates
prickleOE
pritchOE
alighting1340
brodc1375
bellowsc1386
pricka1387
motivec1390
prompting1402
preparativec1450
stirmentc1460
incentive?a1475
fomenta1500
farda1522
instigation1526
pointing1533
swinge1548
spur1551
whetstone1551
goad1567
promptitude1578
alarm1587
inducement1593
solicitor1594
incitement1596
inflammation1597
instance1597
excitement1604
moving spirit1604
heart-blood1606
inflamer1609
rouser1611
stimulator1614
motioner1616
incensivea1618
incitative1620
incitation1622
whettera1625
impulsivea1628
excitation1628
incendiary1628
dispositive1629
fomentationa1631
switch1630
stirrer1632
irritament1634
provocative1638
impetus1641
driving force1642
driving power1642
engagement1642
firer1653
propellant1654
fomentary1657
impulse1660
urgency1664
impeller1686
fillip1699
shove1724
incitive1736
stimulative1747
bonus1787
stimulus1791
impellent1793
stimulant1794
propulsion1800
instigant1833
propulsive1834
motive power1836
evoker1845
motivity1857
afflatus1865
flip1881
urge1882
agent provocateur1888
will to power1896
a shot in the arm1922
motivator1929
driver1971
co-driver1993
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. QQQiii It is, as a prycke or a spurre to set the slowthfull body forwarde, in the seruice of god.]
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Aiiijv I professe to be but..a spurre or a whet stone, to sharpe the pennes of some other.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. viii. sig. Mm7v With the spurre of Courage, and the bitte of Respect.
1676 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 323 It will not be proper..to make him any acknowledgments.., lest it be looked at for a spur, which I assure you his Lordship needs not.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World ii. 28 I had no spur that they would be sensible of, but double allowance of brandy.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lix. 270 The spur of the press is wanted to give operation to the bounty.
1821 C. Lamb in London Mag. Nov. 471/1 Our appetites, of one or another kind, are excellent spurs to our reason.
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy iii How Andy runs! Fear's a fine spur.
1871 J. S. Blackie Four Phases Morals i. 129 Human beings,..acting in masses, under the spur of great political or religious excitement.
b. Const. to or †towards (some quality, course of action, etc.). Also with infinitive.
ΚΠ
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Pref. 12 An encouragyng and spurre towardes ferther industrie.
a1593 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 585 Praise and honour are spurres to virtue.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. ii. 9 Which is another spurre to my departure. View more context for this quotation
1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim x. 54 The thoughts of this misery would be a sufficient spur to you to quicken the execution of it.
1717 R. Bentley Serm. before King George 14 Implanted in our Nature..as a spur to mutual Beneficence.
1779 J. Moore View Society & Manners France (1789) I. xxxi. 273 Emulation, the chief spur to diligence.
1800 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) I. 181 This will give a spur to the negotiation at Hydrabad.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect i. iv. 298 The remembrance..is one source of the spur to preserve the stability of one's footing.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. xlvi. 195 This advantage..is a constant spur to the efforts of national politicians.
c. Similarly with of (= to).Cf. ‘Þe spore of loue’ as the title of a poem in the Vernon MS. ( Minor P. I. 269).
ΚΠ
1591 E. Spenser Teares of Muses in Complaints 454 Due praise, that is the spur of dooing well.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre v. xiii. 252 Had the emulation betwixt those equall Princes onely been such as is the spurre of vertue.
1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 96 Avarice, the spur of industry.
1824 C. Lamb in London Mag. Nov. 481/2 With many more such hospitable sayings, the spurs of appetite.
II. Any sharp-pointed projection, and related uses.
5.
a. Zoology. A sharp, hard process or projection on the tarsus of the domestic cock and certain other fowls and birds; a back-claw.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > parts of or bird defined by > [noun] > toe or claw
clawa700
toec1386
palma1425
pawc1440
talon1486
spur1548
heel1631
heel spur1871
pinion-claw1884
bird claw1889
the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > family Phasianidae (pheasants, etc.) > hen or cock > [noun] > cock > parts of > spur
argotc1400
spur1548
cockspur?1561
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Calcaria, the spurres of a cocke or an henne.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 158 Theyr legges strong, wel armed with sharp and deadly spurres.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 276 As if they knew, that naturally they had spurs, as weapons, giuen them about their heeles, to try the quarrell.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia ii. 31 Arrowes..headed with..the spurres of a Turkey, or the bill of some bird.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia Isagoge sig. B3v Amongst Birds..some have spurs, but not the crooked clawed.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Hen Those Hens that have Spurs break their Eggs, and generally will not hatch them.
1834 H. McMurtrie tr. G. Cuvier Animal Kingdom (abridged ed.) 143 Their wings are short... Their thumb, reduced to a spur, cannot reach the ground.
1899 W. T. Greene Cage-birds 38 The Woodlark..differs from it in having a shorter tail and ‘spur’—that is, the nail of the hind toe.
figurative.a1566 R. Edwards Damon & Pithias (1571) sig. Fjv Though we are cockerels now, we shall haue spurs one day.1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives V. 145 If you design doing any thing..you must do it quickly, before the spurs of this cockrel be grown.
b. Zoology, Anatomy, and Pathology. A sharp-pointed or spur-like process, formation, or growth on some part of the body.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > part of body > [noun] > process, formation, or growth
spur1681
acumen1775
cupola1865
the world > life > biology > physical aspects or shapes > projection or protuberance > [noun] > pointed projection
tongue1398
jag1578
mucro1646
spur1681
rostruma1728
spicula1753
spikelet1851
lingula1856
mucronation1862
cusp1879
mucronule1890
1681 N. Grew Musæum Regalis Societatis i. v. iii. 116 On each side his nether [jaw], two great Spikes or Spurs, hard and very sharp.
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. at Ergot Les ergots d'un Coc, ou d'un Chien, a Cock's or Dog's Spurs.
1760 [see spur-fish n. at Compounds 3b].
1785 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds III. i. 247 On the bend of the wing [are] two or three spurs half an inch in length.
1828 J. Stark Elements Nat. Hist. II. 362 Hesperides. Posterior legs with two pairs of spurs.
1850 R. Gordon-Cumming Five Years Hunter's Life S. Afr. (1902) I. 262 One of his [a buffalo's] hind legs being shot off above the spurs.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 686 Those [cicatrices] occurring after syphilis are said to be softer, less liable to encroach on the neighbouring skin or to produce spurs.
6.
a. A sharp-pointed projection from the prow of a war-vessel.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > fore part of vessel > [noun] > any part in front of stem > beak of galley
hornc1275
snouta1387
beak1550
spurn1553
beak-head1579
spur1604
rostrum1659
1604 E. Grimeston tr. True Hist. Siege Ostend 171 One of them tooke him right vpon the sterne with his spurre or pointe.
1877 W. H. White Man. Naval Archit. (1882) 320 Gaining such a depth below water as will enable the spur to pierce an enemy below the armour.
1889 J. J. Welch Text Bk. Naval Archit. vii. 98 Below water the stem is formed into a spur or ram, with a view to..piercing the thin bottom plating of an enemy's ship.
b. A metal needle or gaff for fastening to the leg of a gamecock for fighting purposes.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting or baiting animals > fighting between animals > [noun] > cock-fighting > spur
gablocksa1672
gaff1688
spur1688
gavelock1698
gafflet1714
gaffle1755
sickle-
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 252/2 Gablocks are Spurs made of Iron, or Brass, or Silver, and are fixed on the Legs of such Cocks as want their natural Spurs; some call them Gaffs.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) at Gaff An artificial Spur for a Cock.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod iii. vii. 250 We frequently meet with paintings, representing cocks fighting; but I do not recollect to have seen in any of them the least indication of artificial spurs.
1841 F. Marryat Joseph Rushbrook I. iii. 36 Having put on the animal his steel spurs, he..would throw down his gallant bird.
c. Whaling. One of a number of metal spikes in a boot-sole to prevent slipping.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > spikes or prongs to prevent slipping
ice spur?a1549
frosts1718
calk1805
spur1820
spike1832
sprig1835
mud-shoe1846
clamper1856
shoe-nail1860
ice calk1863
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 298 The harpooners, having their feet armed with ‘spurs’,..to prevent them from slipping, descend upon the fish.
d. Any sharp or short projection, point, or spike suggestive of a spur. Frequently specific in technical use.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printing machine or press > parts of printers or presses > [noun] > other parts
nut1642
justifier1683
star1819
page-cord1841
joggling-table1849
spur1872
web feed1890
type-lever1908
banjo1964
thimble1979
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > sharp unevenness > [noun] > a sharp prominence
bill1382
pointa1387
tatter1402
beakc1440
spike1488
neb1578
prong1591
prow1601
taggera1687
tang1688
jog1715
nib1788
tusk1823
spur1872
1872 J. Rickards Wood-working 193 The power is needed mainly to cross-cut the fibre with the spores.
1872 J. Rickards Wood-working 193 The spores [1873 spurs] require frequent sharping.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2293/1 Spur, a prong on the arm of some forms of anchor, to assist in turning the lower arm from the shank.
1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §399. 175 The two spurs, one on each section of the plane.
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 130 Spur, the short pin at the end of the point which pricks the hole in the sheet for registering purposes.
1889 J. J. Welch Text Bk. Naval Archit. xiii. 138 The lower pintle..being received into a spur projecting from the lower part of the sternpost.
1912 E. M. Thompson Introd. Greek & Lat. Palaeogr. xix. 521 Long strokes [of letters]..are occasionally provided with an ornamental spur near the top of the vertical stems.
1976 Visible Language X. 44 Spur, a small projection, usually pointed, from a stroke or terminal.
7.
a. A short or stunted branch or shoot, esp. one likely to produce fruit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > [noun] > bough or branch > spur or stump of branch or bud
stubc1405
snag1577
brunt1623
skeg1625
stud1657
argot1693
spur1704
stump1707
wood-bud1763
nog1802
branch-bud1882
knee1889
knee-process1889
dard1925
1704 Dict. Rusticum at Pruning Tho' the Spars are common and good to be preserved, yet the branches growing from them, will never be good for any thing; if it produce more, cut off the Spur it self.
1764 Museum Rusticum IV. 15 Those little spurs which are only an inch or two long.
1796 C. Marshall Introd. Knowl. & Pract. Gardening xii. 209 The mode of bearing in pear trees is on short spurs, which..form themselves all along the branches.
1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 339 The great object in producing spurs is to obtain blossom-buds.
1858 G. Glenny Gardener's Every-day Bk. (new ed.) 23/1 If they were to cut every inch of new wood back to a short spur, there would be fruit.
in extended use.1912 F. Bond Cathedrals 287 The western bases have a ‘spur’ of leafage, a sign of late date.
b. Botany. A tubular expansion, resembling a cock's spur in form, of some more or less foliaceous part of a flower; a calcar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [noun] > parts of > petal > calcar, spur, or claw
heel1597
onglet1725
spur1731
claw1791
calcar1832
1731 P. Miller Gardeners Dict. I. at Delphinium Many dissimilar Petals.., the uppermost of which is contracted, and ends in a Tail or Spur.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 8 Bloss[om] gaping, ending in a spur.
1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 141 Sepals..unequal; the lowermost elongated into a spur.
1855 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. IV. 214 Spur conical, shorter than the limb of the corolla.
1874 J. Lubbock Wild Flowers iii. 53 The honey is in some cases..situated at the end of a long spur.
c. A disease in rye and certain other cereals, in which the blighted ear resembles a cock's spur in form; = ergot n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > [noun] > type of disease > fungal > associated with crop or food plants > various diseases > ergot
ergot1682
spur1763
cockspur1813
ergotism1853
1763 J. Mills New Syst. Pract. Husbandry II. 405 The grains which have the spur are thicker and longer than the sound ones.
1828 A. Neale (title) Researches respecting the Natural History..of the Spur, or Ergot of Rye.
1837 P. Keith Bot. Lexicon 153 The most mysterious of all the maladies attacking the cereal grasses is that of the Ergot or Spur.
III. Something that projects from a surface, especially as a support; an offshoot.
8.
a. A short strut or stay set diagonally to support an upright timber; a shore, prop, or sustaining pillar; a sloping buttress.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > specific parts built or constructed > [noun] > beams or supports
sillc897
sole-tree1527
spur1529
brace1530
rance1574
strut1587
ground pin1632
ground-plate1663
strut-beam1668
wale-piece1739
strutting-beam1753
wale1754
stretcher1774
tie1793
tie-beam1823
strutting1833
lattice frame1838
tie-bolt1838
tie rod1839
brace-rod1844
web1845
box girder1849
plate girder1849
lattice beam1850
lattice girder1852
girder1853
twister1875
under-girder1875
truss-beam1877
raker1880
wind-bracing1890
portal strut1894
stirrup1909
knee-brace1912
tee-beam1930
tee section1963
binder-
1529 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1911) II. 41 [They] cut vpp the yates, postes, and spores of the yates.
1594 H. Plat Jewell House 26 Two strong pillers..well propped with spurres.
1652 J. Endecott in Manip. Progr. Gosp. among Indians N. Eng. 34 They have also built a foot bridge..with Groundsells and Spurres to vphold it.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 124 A thick Wall, almost two Fathom broad, supported by two spurs of the same thickness.
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 211 The..Wall should be supported..with Buttresses, or Spurs of Masonry.
1838 R. Southey Doctor V. 127 Murlooz is the name which they give to such spurs, or stay-pillars.
1844 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 7 19/2 The spur [= prop] is then disengaged, and the wagon resumes its level position ready to be removed.
1851 T. H. Turner Some Acct. Domest. Archit. I. iii. 91 The term spur is now applied to the carved timber work of the doorways of ancient houses supporting projecting upper stories.
1893 H. T. Cozens-Hardy Broad Norfolk (Eastern Daily Press) 25 He..supports his wall with a spore not a shore.
b. Nautical. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [noun] > timbers of hull > deck or hold beams > half-beam
spur1769
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Deck The spurs of the beams; being curved pieces of timber serving as half-beams to support the decks, where a whole beam cannot be placed on account of the hatch-ways.
1841 R. H. Dana Seaman's Man. 125 Spurs, pieces of timber fixed on the bilge-ways, their upper ends being bolted to the vessel's sides above the water.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 647 Spurs of the Bitts, the same as standards.
c. technical. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > pottery manufacturing equipment > [noun] > for supporting during firing
plancha1544
parting shard1686
bat1825
stilt1825
spur1833
setter1853
slug1880
thimble1901
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §1075 The spurs (lower stones of the raking part of the gable, called in England the summer stones).
1860 W. White All round Wrekin p. xxvii Stilts and spurs—bits of fireclay by means of which earthenware articles are kept separate during firing.
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 1779/1 The stilts or spurs are generally of triangular form, and have sharp projecting points.
9. One of the principal roots of a tree. Cf. spurn n.2 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > [noun] > root
spurn1601
spura1616
sprun1684
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 47 The strong bass'd promontorie Haue I made shake, and by the spurs pluckt vp The Pyne, and Cedar.
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 159 The Tree without being 25 foot round above the spurs.
1740 W. Somervile Hobbinol ii. 89 If chance The cruel Woodman spy the friendly Spur, His only Hold.
a1800 W. Cowper Yardley-Oak in W. Hayley Life & Posthumous Writings Cowper (1804) III. 414 Yet is thy root sincere,..A quarry of stout spurs, and knotted fangs, Which.., clasp The stubborn soil.
figurative.a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iv. ii. 60 I do note, That greefe and patience rooted in them both, Mingle their spurres together. View more context for this quotation
10.
†a. Fortification. An angular outwork or projection from the general face of a curtain or wall, to assist in the defence of this. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [noun] > outwork > angular projection
spur1575
esperon1589
contrafront1598
counterfront1622
1575 T. Churchyard 1st Pt. Chippes f. 97 First did they loes, the Sporre a place full strong Which soer anoid, the town.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. 125 The parts of a Bulwarke are..the front or Curtaine; the Counter front or Spurres.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies v. xiii. 364 Fortefied with great and large spurres or platformes.
1669 P. Staynred Compend. Fortification 12 in S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. In the middle of the Curtain you may make a Spur, or Point of a Bastion.
1687 J. Richards Jrnl. Siege Buda 12 We observ'd the Enemy at work on the East-Port, to which place they had advanc'd a Spurr.
1702 Mil. Dict. (1704) Spurs, are Walls that cross a part of the Rampart, and joyn to the Town Wall.
†b. An angular end of the pier of a bridge. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > bridge > parts of
pierlOE
bridge foota1450
heada1450
staddling1461
foota1500
bridge end1515
jowel1516
causey1523
starling?c1684
rib1735
spur1736
icebreaker1744
jetty1772
cutwater1776
roadway1798
sleeper1823
water-breaker1823
centrya1834
stem1835
suspension-tower1842
cantilever1850
semi-beam1850
pylon1851
half-chess1853
span1862
sway-bracing1864
needle-beam1867
ice apron1871
newel1882
flood-arch1891
needle girder1898
sway-brace1909
trough flooring1911
1736 N. Hawksmoor Short Historical Acct. London-bridge 26 That the Becks or Spurs ought to be made in right Angles.
1742 G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture I. 92 The angle of the spurs, that cut the water, is a right angle.
c. An artificial projection from a river-bank serving to deflect the current.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > action of river > [noun] > structures to divert river current
scour17..
wing-dam1809
spur1818
training wall1852
training bank1855
training post1884
1818 Garstin tr. Frisi Treat. Rivers iii. iii. 130 I have examined different sorts of spurs, and have found but few of them that were not shaken and damaged by the current.
1873 Medley Autumn Tour U.S. & Canada ix. 149 I saw a large Spur which had been built to divert the stream under the bridge.
11.
a. A range, ridge, mountain, hill, or part of this, projecting for some distance from the main system or mass; an offshoot or offset.Frequently since 1850.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > hill or mountain > [noun] > projecting
shank1602
spur1652
buttress1682
1652 P. Heylyn Cosmographie i. sig. E The Alpes, and the Apennine, of which the residue in a manner are but spurs and branches.
1791 W. Bartram Trav. N. & S. Carolina 338 The upper end of this spacious green plain is divided by a promontory or spur of the ridges before me, which projects into it.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 183 From these several ridges proceed innumerable nameless branches or spurs.
1837 W. Irving Adventures Capt. Bonneville I. 96 A low and very rocky ridge, one of the most southern spurs of the Wind river mountains.
1863 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea (ed. 4) II. xvi. 419 A spur or rising-ground at the base of the hills.
1874 H. R. Reynolds John the Baptist i. v. 48 The glittering palaces and flourishing cities in the Spurs of Lebanon.
b. An outshoot or projecting piece of ground, land, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > [noun] > landform > projecting
nook?a1425
point?c1475
snoutc1540
excursiona1626
spur1851
salient1864
odd1869
1851 M. Reid Scalp Hunters II. ix. 152 A spur of willows running out from the timber, indicated the presence of water.
1852 G. Grote Hist. Greece IX. ii. lxx. 125 A spur of high and precipitous ground.
c. A branch of a lode, railway, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > vein > vein of ore > branch of
spur1839
society > travel > rail travel > railway system or organization > [noun] > a railway > forming part of a system > types of
branch line1825
sideline1831
stem1832
light rail1836
suburban1839
branch railway1840
main line1841
spurring1842
local line1843
trunk line1843
extension1852
feeder1855
main trunk1858
loop-line1859
loop1863
spur1878
main1886
spur line1924
1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. xiv. 281 One side [of the creek] was formed by a spur of mica-slate.
1878 F. S. Williams Midland Railway (ed. 4) 588 As we leave Newark we see the spur of line that runs down to the Great Northern Railway.
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 179 Spur, a branch leaving a vein, but not returning to it.

Compounds

C1. Generalattributive.
a. (In sense 1.)
spur-buckle n.
ΚΠ
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 304/2 The Second is termed a Spur Buckle.
spur-clink n.
ΚΠ
1911 E. Pound Canzoni 43 The silken trains go rustling, The spur-clinks sound between.
spur-haste n.
ΚΠ
a1649 W. Drummond Hist. James II in Wks. (1711) 23 These with Spur-haste advanced the Celebration of it.
spur-mark n.
ΚΠ
1875 G. J. Whyte-Melville Riding Recoll. iv You may look in vain for a spur-mark on their horses sides.
spur nag n.
ΚΠ
1671 C. Trenchfield Cap of Gray Hairs 40 'Tis no wise the part of a man, succumbere difficultatibus,..but..like true Spur-nags,..strain hardest against the Hill.
spur neck n.
ΚΠ
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 304/2 A Buckle, with a Spur Neck and Rowel fixed thereunto.
spur place n.
ΚΠ
1842 ‘Nimrod’ Horse & Hound 331 The back-ribs..should also be deep, as in a strong-bodied horse, of which we say, when so formed, that he has a good ‘spur place’.
spur shank n.
ΚΠ
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 325/1 A Spur shank, with a Nail or sharp point.
spur socket n.
ΚΠ
1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 6151 Spurs and spur sockets.
spur stroke n.
ΚΠ
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles vi. xxxiii. 268 The spur-stroke fail'd to rouse the horse.
b. In senses 6d, 8 – 11.
spur-brace n.
ΚΠ
1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 50 On those set-offs stretch your Plates, and on them rest your Spur-braces.
spur-buttress n.
ΚΠ
1859 J. H. Parker Some Acct. Domest. Archit. IV. vii. 373 They are furnished with a variety, adapted to the shape, of the spur-buttress.
spur-cog n.
ΚΠ
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 230 A horizontal wheel..with spur-cogs.
spur-dike n.
ΚΠ
1892 Trans. Amer. Soc. Civ. Eng. 26 697 Where the velocity of the current is dangerous, we have sometimes used spur-dikes.
spur-fork n.
ΚΠ
1747 W. Hooson Miners Dict. sig. T3v Spurfork, a small sort of Fork, of Use only to keep some other Timber in its Place,..and sometimes used to hold Doorsteds in Drifts, or at Sumpheads asunder.
spur-piece n.
ΚΠ
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §889 Into grooves chiseled out of the spur pieces..spiked to the sill and posts.
spur pinion n.
ΚΠ
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 73 The rollers..may..be formed into spur pinions to fit the teeth.
spur rail n.
ΚΠ
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 159 A spur-rail, for strengthening the frame-work of the mill.
spur root n.
ΚΠ
1871 C. Kingsley At Last xi Around its great spur-roots lay what had been its trunk and head.
spur shore n.
ΚΠ
1846 A. Young Naut. Dict. 281 Spur-shores,..a name for shores placed in a horizontal position, or set up diagonally.
spur street n.
ΚΠ
1889 Daily News 9 Oct. 6 The cost of the main thoroughfare..; the cost of the spur street.
spur tooth n.
ΚΠ
1871 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. Sept. 535 Spaces between the links, into which the spur-teeth fit.
spur track n.
ΚΠ
1884 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 13 Sept. A spur track from the Eastern Railroad freight yard.
spur work n.
ΚΠ
1692 London Gaz. No. 2774/3 They attack'd a kind of Spur-work with Pallisadoes.
C2.
a.
spur-finned adj.
ΚΠ
1804 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. V. i. 110 Spur-finned Pike, Esox Chirocentrus... Native of the Indian seas.
spur-gilled adj.
ΚΠ
1803 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. ii. 563 Spur-gilled Holocentrus, Holocentrus Calcarifer... Native of Japan.
spur-heeled adj.
ΚΠ
1829 H. Hawthorn Visit Babylon 111 A tall,..spur-heeled ‘dead-weight’ man.
spur-shaped adj.
ΚΠ
1837 P. Keith Bot. Lexicon 271 A spur-shaped process issuing immediately from the corolla.
spur-tailed adj.
ΚΠ
1894–5 R. Lydekker Royal Nat. Hist. III. 245 Spur-tailed Wallabies..having the extreme tip of the tail furnished with a horny spur or nail.
spur-toed adj.
ΚΠ
1895 R. Lydekker Royal Nat. Hist. V. 286 The spur-toed frogs (Xenopus).
b.
spur-clad adj.
ΚΠ
1847 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Spur-clad, wearing spurs.
spur-driven adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [adjective] > of or relating to horse for riding > (not) urged on by spur
unspurreda1635
spur-driven1837
spurred1868
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. v. iii. 298 The tired nag, spur-driven, does take the River Sorgue.
c.
spur-bearing adj.
ΚΠ
1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 614 Shortening such wood on spur-bearing trees.
1871 C. Darwin Descent of Man (1890) ii. xv. 450 The female progenitors of the existing spur-bearing species.
spur-jingling adj.
ΚΠ
1894 G. Du Maurier Trilby iii. 42 The brutal sword-clanking, spur-jingling aristocrats.
spur-making n.
ΚΠ
1615 T. Overbury et al. New & Choise Characters with Wife (6th impr.) sig. K6 The Trade of Spurre-making had decayde long since.
C3.
a.
spur blight n. a fungus disease of raspberries and loganberries causing discoloured patches on the stems and the death of buds at the nodes, and weakening the laterals.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > [noun] > type of disease > fungal > associated with crop or food plants > fruit or fruit plants
leaf curl1850
fly-speck1855
vine-mildew1855
vine-fungus1857
leaf blister1858
blister1864
peach-blister1866
charbon1882
crown rot1888
melanose1888
plum pocket1888
peach leaf curl1890
brown rot1894
mummy1902
sooty blotch1909
rhubarb disease1911
spur blight1915
red core1936
sclerotinia1950
Sigatoka1958
1915 Bull. Colorado Agric. Exper. Station No. 206 (title) Spur blight of the red raspberry caused by Sphaerella rubina.
1941 Sun (Baltimore) 18 Feb. 6/4 Anthracnose, spur blight on red raspberries and cane blight can be controlled by promptly removing and burning all old fruiting canes after harvest and spraying the new canes one to four times in the growing season.
1979 Scopes & Ledieu Pest & Disease Control Handbk. vi. 55 Some of the fungicides for spur blight will also control cane spot.
spur-bow n. the solid spur-like prolongation of the lower part of the bow in certain warships.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > fore part of vessel > [noun] > types of bow
shark's head1831
spur-bow1877
spoon bow1902
1877 W. H. White Man. Naval Archit. 232 Under-water projections, like the spur-bows of ironclad rams, may also produce some limitation of pitching and 'scending.
spur box n. a special form of horseman's boot-heel, to which the rims of the spur are affixed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > heel > types of
heelc1400
cork1609
Polonia heel1613
high heel1645
French heel1651
spur box1862
rubber heel1867
boot-heel1870
Louis Quinze1875
Louis heel1906
Cuban heel1908
brogue heel1927
spike heel1929
stiletto heel1931
wedge-heel1939
stiletto1953
wedge1959
stacked heel1960
stilt heel1973
1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 5007 The old Spur Box, in which the boot heels are unsightly and the spur inconveniently near the ground.
spur centre n. a lathe-centre provided with spurs.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine tool > lathe > [noun] > other parts of lathe
steel bow1680
shear1812
dog plate1834
wheel-plate1859
turning-gauge1877
spur centre1881
tail-pin1887
cat-head1940
1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §592. 274 The following pieces are supplied with the lathe:..two plain centres, one spur-centre for wood.
† spur-fire n. Fireworks Obsolete (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > firework > [noun] > rotating or Catherine wheel
firewheel1607
wheel1629
sun1741
sun wheel1749
Catherine wheel1761
pinwheel1765
spur-fire1765
cartwheel1840
1765 R. Jones New Treat. Artific. Fireworks ii. 27 When any of these spur-fires are fired singly, they are called artificial flower pots.
1765 R. Jones New Treat. Artific. Fireworks ii. 29 Called the spur-fire,..because the sparks it yields have a great resemblance to the rowel of a spur.
spur gear n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > cog or gear
cog-wheel1416
main wheel1678
spur-wheel1731
rack wheel1772
spur gear1808
gear1829
gearing1833
spur gearing1844
pitch wheel1854
tooth-wheel1862
gear-wheel1874
maintaining wheel1874
cog1883
1808 R. Buchanan Teeth of Wheels ii. 36 By Spur Geers is understood wheels acting together, with their axes parallel and in the same plane.
1867–72 N. P. Burgh Mod. Marine Engin. 294 Spur gear motion for working slide valves.
spur gearing n. Mechanics gearing consisting of spur-wheels.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > cog or gear
cog-wheel1416
main wheel1678
spur-wheel1731
rack wheel1772
spur gear1808
gear1829
gearing1833
spur gearing1844
pitch wheel1854
tooth-wheel1862
gear-wheel1874
maintaining wheel1874
cog1883
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm III. 794 The motion of the main rollers..is communicated to the seed-distributor by means of spur-geering.
spur line n. a railway branch-line.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > railway system or organization > [noun] > a railway > forming part of a system > types of
branch line1825
sideline1831
stem1832
light rail1836
suburban1839
branch railway1840
main line1841
spurring1842
local line1843
trunk line1843
extension1852
feeder1855
main trunk1858
loop-line1859
loop1863
spur1878
main1886
spur line1924
1924 R. Kipling Debits & Credits (1926) 166 'E 'ad us all screened in over in a cuttin' on a little spur-line.
1977 H. Fast Immigrants 8 This great railroad..has begun the construction of a spur line to connect its main line with the City of San Francisco.
spur mark n. one of the marks left on the base of a glazed pot by the spurs (sense 8c) on which it has rested during firing (see also quot. 1933).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > pottery or ceramics > [noun] > porcelain > a piece of porcelain > mark left on base by processing
spur mark1895
1895 R. Mills Catal. Blue & White Orient. Porcelain 52 ‘Spur marks’ are little projections of the paste, apparently to prevent the bottom of the vessel touching the oven. They are peculiar to Japanese porcelain.
1933 Burlington Mag. Oct. 160/2 On the bottom of the interior of the bowl will be found five spur marks where the pontil was broken off.
1972 Trans. Oriental Ceramic Soc. 38 23 A ring of spur marks usually is to be seen on the base of proto-Yüeh pieces.
† spur money n. Obsolete a fine imposed by the choristers of certain privileged chapels on anyone entering with spurs on; = spur silver n.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > for infringement of chapel rules
spur silver1500
spur money1566
solace1683
1566 in Notes & Queries 1st Ser. I. 494/1 Every quorister sholde bringe with him to Churche a Testament..rather than spend their tyme in talk and hunting after spur money.
1864 C. Knight Passages Working Life I. 77 Thus have I seen a stranger civilian stalk into the choir of St. George's Chapel. The spur was instantly detected; and when the bewildered man was surrounded by a bevy of white surplices..there was no help for him but to pay the spur-money.
spur-nut n. Mechanics a small spur-wheel.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > cog or gear > small
pinion1659
spur-nut1803
1803 Imison's Elements Sci. & Art (new ed.) I. 94 In common spur-nuts, divide the pitch-line..into twice as many equal parts as you intend teeth.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 131 The four spur-nuts..at the end of the spindle..roll round the spur-wheel.
spur pepper n. shrubby Capsicum, C. frutescens.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular vegetables > [noun] > fruits as vegetables > capsicum > capsicum plants
pepper1578
capsicum1798
cherry-pepper1832
chilli1843
spur pepper1866
pimentón1885
Scotch bonnet1919
Aleppo pepper1920
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. I. 219 The shrubby Capsicum, or Spur Pepper (C. frutescens),..a native of the East Indies,..has been in our gardens since 1656.
1884 W. Miller Dict. Eng. Names Plants Spur pepper.
spur pruning n. = spurring n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > [noun] > pruning or lopping > other types of pruning
frondation1664
snag-pruning1823
spurring-in1829
spur pruning1842
spurring1844
notching1898
nicking1949
1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 541 Spur Pruning, sixth year.
spur road n. (see quots. 1883, 1891); now applied to a connecting road that branches off from a motorway or main highway.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [noun] > for horses or for riding
horse-way985
ridingc1175
ridewaya1500
warple1565
bridleway1667
stirrup-way1736
horse-road1740
bridle road1745
horse-path1755
bridle path1779
ride1789
bridle track1794
horse-track1836
bridle traila1858
spur road1883
horse-ride1903
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 233 Spur road, a branch way leading from a main level.
1891 R. P. Chope Dial. Hartland, Devonshire 73 Spur road, a bridle path. Now obsolete in this sense, although the word remains in the name of a bye-road.
1958 Times 19 Mar. 10/3 The spur road to London Airport will be served by a flyover junction.
1963 Listener 31 Jan. 198/2 Heavy trucks rumble along the spur roads from the Alaska Highway to mining camps deep in the frozen interior.
1977 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 125 359/1 These needs could be met by a six-lane spur road connecting with adjacent motorways.
spur-shell n. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Gastropoda > [noun] > superorder Branchifera > order Prosobranchiata > section Holostomata > family Turbinidae > shell of
spur-shell1713
spur trochus1753
turbinate1802
1713 J. Petiver Aquatilium Animalium Amboinæ Tab. xi Calcar minor,..Small Spur-shell. Cassis verrucosa,..Great Spur-shell.
1752 J. Hill Gen. Nat. Hist. III. 129 The Spur-shell, with short spines. The gold-yellow Spur-shell, with a silvery white umbo.
1883 Cassell's Nat. Hist. V. 214 Genus Imperator. The shell is like a Trochus;..seen from above, it resembles the rowel of a spur, hence the name Spur-shell.
† spur silver n. Scottish Obsolete = spur money n.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > for infringement of chapel rules
spur silver1500
spur money1566
solace1683
1500 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1900) II. 97 Item, to the barnis in the Queir of Strivelin, of spur silver, be the Kingis command, vs.
1545 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1908) VIII. 411 Item, to the barnis of the quere in spur sylver, vs.
spur-stone n. a stone fixed in the ground to support a post or to keep vehicles away from the footway, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [noun] > vertical object or part > stone
spur-stone1848
1848 Gentleman's Mag. I. 248 An obelisk,..part of it..having been above ground as a spur-stone.
1880 Daily News 27 July 3/3 Accidents to the vehicles..owing to the ‘spur stones’ that are fixed to..the refuges..at dangerous crossings.
1882 R. Jefferies Bevis I. x. 172 A small sarsen or boulder..put there as a spur-stone to force the careless carters to drive straight.
† spur trochus n. Obsolete a species of shell (cf. spur-shell n.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Gastropoda > [noun] > superorder Branchifera > order Prosobranchiata > section Holostomata > family Turbinidae > shell of
spur-shell1713
spur trochus1753
turbinate1802
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Cochlea 11. The spur trochus, with spines disposed in a regular circle. 12. The less aculeated spur trochus.
† spur-vein n. Obsolete a blood-vein in a horse's side where the spur usually strikes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > barrel or middle of horse > vein in side
spur-vein1607
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 351 Let him blood in his spur vains, and his breast vaines.
1735 W. Burdon Gentleman's Pocket-farrier 38 Take..Blood from the Spur Vein on each Side.
spur-way n. dialect (see quot. 1691).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [noun] > for horses or for riding > through private ground
spur-way1691
1691 J. Ray S. & E. Country Words in Coll. Eng. Words (ed. 2) 114 A Spurre-way, a Horse-way through a Man's Ground, which one may ride in by right of Custom.
spur-whang n. Scottish and dialect = spur-leather n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [noun] > art of horse-riding > use of hands and legs > using spurs > strap of spur
spur-leather1616
spur-whang1684
1684 in Cloud of Witnesses (1871) 393 I had not the worth of a spur whang of any man's.
1820 W. Scott Monastery III. xi. 273 There are straping lads enough would have rid us of him for the lucre of his spur-whang.
b. In the specific names of birds, fishes, or flowers (see quots.).
spur-dog n. a small spiny shark, Squalus acanthias, found in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean (see also quot. 1862).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > subclass Elasmobranchii > order Pleurotremata > [noun] > miscellaneous types of
tiburon1555
dog1673
picked dog1673
picked dogfish1740
tiger-shark1787
piked dogfish1805
ground-shark1834
sea-attorney1849
gazer1861
shovel head1881
puff shark1902
spur-dog1921
whaler shark1937
megamouth1977
1862 J. Couch Hist. Fishes Brit. Islands I. 49 Spur Dog. Bone Dog... Pre-eminently this fish is called The Dogfish.
1921 Nature 29 Dec. 585/1 The spur-dog and nurse-hound are viviparous.
1959 A. C. Hardy Open Sea II. ix. 179 The spur-dog can easily be distinguished by the prominent spine immediately in front of each of its dorsal fins.
1976 Evening Post (Nottingham) 13 Dec. 7/2 Other trophies for the best specimen fish went to..Eric Rawson for an 8½ lb. spur dog, [etc.].
spur-fish n.
ΚΠ
1760 G. Edwards Gleanings Nat. Hist. II. 153 The larger Fish I call the Spur-fish, from the two odd pectinated sharp-pointed..spurs on its upper and under sides.
1804 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. V. i. 194 Rondeletian Carp, Cyprinus Rondeletii... Spur-Fish.
spur-fowl n.
ΚΠ
1845 Penny Cycl. Suppl. I. 35/1 Guinea-fowls, spur-fowls, quails, and bustards are very numerous [in Adal].
1865 Intellect. Obs. No. 39. 224 Galloperdix Lunulosa,..generally called the Spur-fowl.
1895 W. R. O. Grant in R. Lydekker Royal Nat. Hist. IV. 416 The Indian spur-fowl are more pheasant-like.
spur grass n.
ΚΠ
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. I. 550/1 Sea spur grass, Glyceria distans.
spur mackerel n.
ΚΠ
1803 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. ii. 595 Spur Mackrel. Scomber Calcar... Native of the African seas.
spur plover n.
ΚΠ
1910 Encycl. Brit. XII. 203/2 Birds [of the Gold Coast]..include..swallows, vultures and the spur plover (the last-named rare).
spur tree n.
ΚΠ
1864 A. H. R. Grisebach Flora Brit. W. Indian Islands 787/2 Spur-tree, Petitia domingensis.
spur valerian n.
ΚΠ
1855 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. III. 161 Spur Valerian. Corolla 5-cleft, spurred at the base.
1863 R. Hogg & G. W. Johnson Wild Flowers Great Brit. ii. Pl. 140 Centranthus Ruber, Red Spur-Valerian. Syn. Red Valerian.
spur wood n.
ΚΠ
1749 W. Ellis Compl. Syst. Improvem. Sheep 144 At Sidbury, Devonshire, ‘they have a weed called Spurwood or Spearwort, that they say runs up like a pike’.
spur wort n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Caryophyllaceae (chickweeds and allies) > [noun] > spurrey or spurries
spurrey1577
frank1578
spur wort1640
knotted spurrey1771
pearlwort spurrey1797
awl-shaped spurrey1828
spergula1836
sand spurrey1866
sand spurry1866
spurreys1882
sandwort spurrey1887
1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum 562 Both the Dutch and we in England call it Spurry or Franck Spurry, for the causes aforesaid, but I do a little more explaine the names, in calling it Francking Spurrewort.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 98/2 Francking Spurry, or Spurwort, [has]..small narrow leaves.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 185 Sherardia arvensis... Little Field Madder. Little Spur-wort.

Draft additions September 2018

Surgery. A projection of tissue forming a partial septum between the openings of two segments of intestine joined at a fistula or surgical anastomosis. Formerly also called buttress. [after French éperon (G. Dupuytren 1828, in Mém. sur méthode nouvelle pour traiter des anus accidentels 266.]
ΚΠ
1846 Liston's Elements Surg. (new ed.) 439 Interposed between the two extremities of the intestine, and formed by the justa-position of their sides, is the ridge, septum, or partition, which Scarpa has described under the name of the promontory, and Dupuytren under that of the epéron [sic], spur, or buttress.
1894 Brit. Gynæcol. Jrnl. 10 581 If the flexion becomes more acute the intestinal wall opposite the opening forms a spur.
1919 J. P. Warbasse Surg. Treatm. II. 687 When it is pulled up tightly the two surfaces of bowel lie closely together, and a spur is formed by apposition of the bowel surfaces on the outer side of the mesocolon.
1963 Amer. Jrnl. Surg. 106 586/1 Enterostomy closure should not be attempted until the distal bowel is satisfactorily cleared..and never until the spur has been cut down adequately.
2017 Jrnl. Pediatric Surg. 52 279/1 The pull-through was performed at 5 months of age and a rectal spur was divided at 1 and 3 months postoperatively.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

† spurn.2

Etymology: < spur v.1 5.
Obsolete.
A sharper's method of marking playing-cards.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card-sharping or cheating > [noun] > card or cards > mark on card
spur1674
sighter1894
1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (1680) 95 In dealing these Rooks have a trick they call the Spurr, and that is, as good Cards come into their hand..they give them a gentle touch with their nail.
1711 J. Puckle Club 23 The bent, the slick, the breef, the spur. [Note] Marking Putt-cards on the edge with the nail as they come to hand.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

† spurn.3

Forms: Also 1600s spurre.
Etymology: Of obscure origin.
dialect. Obsolete.
The common tern, Sterna hirundo (or fluviatilis).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Charadriiformes > family Laridae (gulls and terns) > [noun] > member of genus Sterna (tern) > sterna hirundo (common tern)
scray1668
spur1676
kirmew1694
pictarne1710
pirr maw1744
tarrock1774
pictarnie1784
medrick1832
shear-tail1885
1676 F. Willughby & J. Ray Ornithologiæ 269 In insula Caldey meridionali Cambriæ littori adjacente Spurres eas vocant, communi cum Argentinensibus nomine; et insulam ubi simul nidificant Spurre-Island. [Hence in Ray and later writers.]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

spurn.4

Brit. /spəː/, U.S. /spər/, Scottish English /spʌr/
Origin: Probably a borrowing from early Scandinavian.
Etymology: Probably the reflex of a borrowing < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic spǫrr sparrow n. and the Scandinavian forms cited at that entry). Compare in the same sense the apparent diminutive formations spurg n. and Scots spurdie (1866; compare -die , diminutive suffix: see Geordie n. and adj.), and also sprug n. and spug n.Perhaps attested earlier as the first element in Scots spurhawk (1808; variant of sparhawk n.) and spurmuick a very small particle, a bit, an atom, perhaps lit. ‘a sparrow's little mouthful’ (1825; compare mou n.1 and -ock suffix).
Scottish and English regional (northern). rare.
The house sparrow. Cf. spurg n.In quot. 1866 figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > seed eaters > family Ploceidae > [noun] > subfamily Ploceinae (weaver) > genus Passer > passer domesticus (sparrow)
sparrowc725
phipc1400
Philipa1500
house sparrow1653
spug1808
sprug1815
spruggie1845
spurgie1849
spadger1862
spur1866
spuggy1874
spurg1882
gutter-bird1896
sparrer1935
1866 W. Gregor Dial. Banffshire (Philol. Soc.) 179 Spur, a person of small stature and lively disposition.
1882 J. Longmuir & D. Donaldson Jamieson's Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (rev. ed.) IV. 380/1 Spur, a sparrow.
1975 J. Y. Mather & H. H. Speitel Ling. Atlas Scotl. I. 293 Sparrow, [Northumberland] Spur.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

spurn.5

Etymology: Of obscure origin.
technical.
A set of folded sheets of paper.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > material for making paper > paper > [noun] > set of folded sheets
spur1885
1885 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 225/1 After this the [hand~made] paper is hung in a drying loft on cow-hair ropes in spurs of three to five sheets thick until dry.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2019).

spurv.1

Brit. /spəː/, U.S. /spər/
Forms: α. Middle English spurie, Middle English spure(n), 1500s–1600s spurre, 1500s– spur (1800s spurr), 1700s spir. β. Middle English–1500s spore, Middle English–1500s sporre.
Etymology: Middle English spure, spore, < spur n.1 Compare Middle Dutch and Dutch sporen, Middle High German sporn, sporen (obsolete German sporen, spören, German spornen), North Frisian spöre, Swedish sporra.
I. transitive.
1.
a. To prick (a horse, etc.) with the spur, in order to urge to a faster pace; to urge on by the use of spurs.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur
prickc1250
spurc1275
broach1330
prochea1425
strike1487
punye1488
chargea1500
spura1500
dig1530
to put (also set) (the) spurs to1553
spur1582
spura1644
rowel1765
α.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13216 Þe eorles gunnen riden & spureden [c1300 Otho sporie] heore steden.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3970 Balaam it spureð and smit ðor-on. And god vndede ðis asses muð.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xi. l. 417 For to fle he tuk no taryage, Spuryt the hors, quhilk ran in a gud randoun Till his awn folk.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 155 Thai spurrit apon athir syd.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 731/1 I dare not spurre my hors, he is so wylde.
a1625 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Two Noble Kinsmen (1634) iii. i. 107 When I spur My horse, I chide him nor.
1679 J. Dryden Troilus & Cressida ii. iii. 21 Heaven made 'em horses And thou..rid'st and spur'st 'em.
1740 W. Somervile Hobbinol ii. 218 He spur'd his sober Steed, grizled with Age.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives III. 24 He could scarce make his horse go, though he spurred him continually.
1850 ‘H. Hieover’ Pract. Horsemanship 193 The horse being whipped, spurred, and rated at while galloping, of course supposes he is doing something wrong.
absolute.1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 133 To bring your horse to a quicknesse vpon the spurre, is to spurre seldome, but when you spurre, to spurre most surely.1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. x. 247 I am sure I spurred till his sides were furrowed.β. c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12719 He sporede his hors, forþ faste gan schake.c1440 Generydes 217 He sporyd his hors and theder toke the way.c1475 Partenay 4214 Gaffray that tyme..his coursere spored.c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lviii. 198 He spored blanchardyn & cam agynst Gerames.c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxxi. 292 He sporred his horse that anone he ouer toke Huon.
b. With adverbs, as away, forth, on, up; or prepositions, as against, at, into, through, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur
prickc1250
spurc1275
broach1330
prochea1425
strike1487
punye1488
chargea1500
spura1500
dig1530
to put (also set) (the) spurs to1553
spur1582
spura1644
rowel1765
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xviii. 282 And whan thei saugh the cristin come thei sporered theire horse ouer the brigge at a brunt.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. i. 1 Was that the king that spurd his horse so hard, Against the steepe vp rising of the hill? View more context for this quotation
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 474 They gore and spurre up the Ass to goe that way.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant iii. 45 When the Rider spurs on his Horse to a full speed.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives I. 253 They spurred their horses to the encounter.
1788 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall V. li. 357 He spurred his horse into the waves.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II ii. lvi. 89 Some high-capp'd Tartar spurr'd his steed away.
1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold I. i. iii. 52 Edward spurred his steed up to the boor.
1894 S. Baring-Gould Deserts S. France II. 253 He spurred his horse to the side of the river.
c. figurative or in figurative context.
ΚΠ
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 171 Quhone Treuthe gois on his fute about, And laik of spending dois him spure.
1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. 1st Chorus sig. Ciii Let shame of sinne, thy Childrens bridle be, And spurre them foorth, with bounty wysely vsed.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge i. v. sig. C2 Does thy hart With punching anguish spur thy galled ribs?
1838 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Ferdinand & Isabella II. ii. vi. 403 This same impulse..spurs guilty Ambition along his bloody track.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 66 Him glaring, by his own stale devil spurr'd, And, like a beast hard-ridden, breathing hard.
d. To make (one's way) by spurring.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur > make one's way by
spur1842
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy xxxvii The rider..still spurred and plashed his headlong way through the heavy road.
2. figurative.
a. To drive on or hasten; to incite, impel, or stimulate; to urge or prompt. Frequently const. to (do something, or some course of action). Also occasionally, with an action or activity as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > have motive [verb (intransitive)] > incite or instigate
spura1225
broachc1380
serve1594
exstimulate1603
urge1645
prompt1830
sool1898
compel1903
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > urge on or incite
tar ona900
wheta1000
eggc1200
spura1225
aprick1297
ertc1325
sharpa1340
abaita1470
sharpen1483
to set (a person) forth1488
to set forth1553
egg1566
hound1571
shove?1571
edge1575
strain1581
spur1582
spurn1583
hag1587
edge1600
hist1604
switch1648
string1881
haik1892
goose1934
a1225 Juliana 59 Heo as þe deouel spurede ham to donne, duden hit unsparliche.
c1230 Hali Meid. 13 Þe ilke sari wrecches..beoð þe deuelles eaueres, þat rit ham & spureð ham to don al þat he wile.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxxxiijv The duke,..somwhat spurred and quickened with these noueltyes, retired backe.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xx. 365 A desire of honor whereby wee be spurred to do wel.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost ii. i. 118 Ber. You must not be so quicke. Kath. Tis long of you that spur me with such questions. View more context for this quotation
1633 G. Herbert Storm in Temple ii A throbbing conscience spurred by remorse Hath a strange force.
1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xxvii. 304 If these Joys do not spur you to Obedience,..they are not of such value as you imagine.
1733 G. Cheyne Eng. Malady ii. ix. 209 Any thing that will stimulate, rouze, and spur the dead and languishing Solids.
1769 E. Bancroft Ess. Nat. Hist. Guiana 371 They are spurred to industry by the whip of correction.
1803 Visct. Strangford tr. L. V. de Camoens Poems 105 Some tale of joy, To spur the time that now so stilly stands.
1850 ‘S. Yendys’ Roman iv. 45 I spur my soul all day With thought of tyrants, woes and chains.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People i. §5. 48 The mention of Nero spurs him to an outbreak on the abuses of power.
1951 Newsweek 27 Sept. 74/3 Much of this expansion has been spurred by the government.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 17 Apr. 7/2 Mae Craig,..Liz Carpenter, and I spurred a move for the survivors of the Spruce Goose week end to entertain our millionaire host with an appreciation party.
absolute.1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. Q.iijv The flesh may spurre to euerlasting fire.1611 B. Jonson Catiline iii. sig. G2v When neede spurres, despaire will be call'd wisdome. View more context for this quotation1738 W. Warburton Divine Legation Moses I. i. 60 Self-interest..spurring to Action, by Hopes and Fears.
b. With on.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > urge on or incite
tar ona900
wheta1000
eggc1200
spura1225
aprick1297
ertc1325
sharpa1340
abaita1470
sharpen1483
to set (a person) forth1488
to set forth1553
egg1566
hound1571
shove?1571
edge1575
strain1581
spur1582
spurn1583
hag1587
edge1600
hist1604
switch1648
string1881
haik1892
goose1934
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur
prickc1250
spurc1275
broach1330
prochea1425
strike1487
punye1488
chargea1500
spura1500
dig1530
to put (also set) (the) spurs to1553
spur1582
spura1644
rowel1765
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 31 Too shock in coombats..Mee my wyl on spurreth.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. x. 83 With shame to spurre on the rest to amendment.
1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xxiv. 259 And yet they spur on their hours, and would have them flye away faster than they do.
1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 67 Two Friends who..spurr'd him on perpetually with commendation.
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 16 Nov. (1948) II. 414 To spur on the French to be easy and sincere.
1722 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers Pref. I was the more spurr'd on thereby to set down in due Order..what I knew of the Matter.
1812 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Paradiso iv. 14 Ire, that spurr'd him on to deeds unjust.
1854 Poultry Chron. 12 Apr. 139/1 Spurred on with the certainty of a prize.
1874 J. A. Symonds Sketches Italy & Greece (1898) I. xii. 231 He is..spurred on by yearnings after an unsearchable delight.
c. With up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate
stirc897
putOE
sputc1175
prokec1225
prickc1230
commovec1374
baitc1378
stingc1386
movea1398
eager?a1400
pokec1400
provokea1425
tollc1440
cheera1450
irritec1450
encourage1483
incite1483
harden1487
attice1490
pricklea1522
to set on1523
incense1531
irritate1531
animate1532
tickle1532
stomach1541
instigate1542
concitea1555
upsteer1558
urge1565
instimulate1570
whip1573
goad1579
raise1581
to set upa1586
to call ona1592
incitate1597
indarec1599
alarm1602
exstimulate1603
to put on1604
feeze1610
impulse1611
fomentate1613
emovec1614
animalize1617
stimulate1619
spura1644
trinkle1685
cite1718
to put up1812
prod1832
to jack up1914
goose1934
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur
prickc1250
spurc1275
broach1330
prochea1425
strike1487
punye1488
chargea1500
spura1500
dig1530
to put (also set) (the) spurs to1553
spur1582
spura1644
rowel1765
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) xii. 59 The wise mans words are like to Goads, that doe Stir up the drowzy, and spur up the slow.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso (1674) ii. vi. 145 Riches made proud, and spurr'd him up to commit faults.
1710 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 14 Dec. (1948) I. 128 Why did not you..first spur up his commendation to the height.
1729 W. Law Serious Call xviii. 331 A youth, that has been spurr'd up to all his industry by ambition.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. ix. 133 Spurring up the legislature..to pass more stringent resolutions against escaping fugitives.
1871 E. F. Burr Ad Fidem xv. 305 A strong faith, spurred up by approaching death.
3. To provide with a spur or spurs; to furnish with gaffs.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > urge on > spur > provide with
spura1400
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting or baiting animals > fighting between animals > fight between animals [verb (transitive)] > arm with spur
heel1709
spur1832
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 6650 His spere takeþ Perdicas; His helys sporeþ Emudus.
1694 P. A. Motteux Wks. F. Rabelais (1737) v. xxvii. 119 They..began to boot and spur one another.
17.. Young Hunting in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1885) II. iii. 144/2 She has booted an spird Young Hunting As he had been gan to ride.
1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. viii. 123 The proper way in which they [sc. cocks] should be spurred... Two pairs of spurs were..made.
4. Of a bird: To strike or wound with the spur. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with natural weapon
strike1538
engore1590
horn1599
spur1631
mouth1693
tusk1818
fin1889
the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > family Phasianidae (pheasants, etc.) > hen or cock > [verb (transitive)] > strike (of cock)
spur1631
1631 T. Drue Life Dutches of Suffolke ii. sig. C4 Why the Cocke ale has spurd thee already.
1805 J. Lawrence Gen. Treat. Cattle 628 The old shepherds had a comical notion, that sheep blind in the summer were lark-spurred; that the sheep having trod upon a lark's nest, the old one..had spurred the intruder in the eye.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters vi. 145 That man's wife..would so peck and spur him, that he was a totally different man when in her company.
†5. Card-sharping. (See quot. 1674) Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card-sharping or cheating > cheat someone at cards [verb (transitive)] > methods of cheating
pack1575
palm1671
spur1674
slip1807
stack1825
pass1859
stock1864
riffle1891
1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (1680) 95 They always fix half a score Packs of Cards..by slicking them or spurring them, that is, giving them such marks that they shall certainly know every Card in the Pack.
II. intransitive.
6.
a. To ride quickly by urging on one's horse with the spur. Also with it.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > ride rapidly > by urging on one's horse
prickc1300
to prick and prancea1393
spur1596
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 137 [He] than spurit with speid to Scotland, with lettres of commendatioun.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 36 He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 97 The Parthians..spurring from the Fight confess their Fear. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 565 Spurring at speed to their own Walls they drew.
1816 Ld. Byron Siege of Corinth xxii. 37 Mount ye, spur ye, skirr the plain.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. ix. 436 Not a day passed on which he was not seen spurring from his villa to the Hague.
1891 Cornhill Mag. Oct. 416 His troop would spur it over the drawbridge with clatter of hoofs.
b. With adverbs, as after, away, forward(s, on, up.
ΚΠ
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Bb7v But all spurd after fast, as they mote fly.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. i. 241 He doth not alwayes spurre up close to the Kings side.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 353 Ascanius took th' Alarm,..And spurring on, his Equals soon o'repass'd.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc iii. 81 Saying thus, he spurr'd away.
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein III. xii. 338 Two or three Stradiots then spurred on to examine this defile.
1883 E. Pennell-Elmhirst Cream Leics. 135 [He] spurred forward to check the solitary hounds.
figurative.a1659 R. Brownrig 40 Serm. (1661) 530 Obstinacy spurs on in spight of all perswasions.1673 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd ii. 82 The Gentleman thought it necessary to spur up again the next year with another new book.
c. transferred. To hasten; to proceed hurriedly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with urgent speed
rempeOE
fuseOE
rakeOE
hiec1175
i-fusec1275
rekec1275
hastec1300
pellc1300
platc1300
startc1300
buskc1330
rapc1330
rapec1330
skip1338
firk1340
chase1377
raikc1390
to hie one's waya1400
catchc1400
start?a1505
spur1513
hasten1534
to make speed1548
post1553
hurry1602
scud1602
curry1608
to put on?1611
properate1623
post-haste1628
whirryc1630
dust1650
kite1854
to get a move on1888
to hump it1888
belt1890
to get (or put) one's skates on1895
hotfoot1896
to rattle one's dags1968
shimmy1969
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. xi. 31 A fair brycht sterne..Markand the way quhidder at we suld spur.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vii. iv. 19 He..fast gan spur..To mark the fundment of his new citie.
1666 in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1912) 3rd Ser. 256 I shall be able to do more, goeing my owne way then by spurring to Fast.
1677 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 324 The reason I had to spur on was, that..I found Sir John Robinson there.
7.
a. To strike out with the foot; to kick.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (intransitive)] > with the foot > kick
spurnc1000
regibbe?c1225
potea1350
kickc1386
rependc1440
spur1590
recalcitrate1611
calcitrate1623
funkc1707
root1890
scissor-kick1921
1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. C2 What is this,..but to fall groueling to the earth.., and beeing downe,..to kicke and spurne.
a1835 J. Hogg Tales & Sketches (1866) 150/2 After gluthering and spurring a wee while, they cam to again.
1870 R. W. Emerson Society & Solitude 94 All day, between his three or four sleeps, he [sc. an infant] sputters, and spurs.
b. Of cocks, etc.: To fight with the spur; to strike at. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > strike at
smite?c1225
spura1722
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting or baiting animals > fighting between animals > fight between animals [verb (intransitive)] > fight with spurs
spar1570
spura1722
a1722 E. Lisle Observ. Husbandry (1757) 346 If a sheep should come so near to a lark's nest as to tread on it, the lark will fly out, and spur at the sheep.
1838 T. Mitchell in Aristophanes Clouds 172 Two fighting-cocks..spurring at each other.
1887 P. McNeill Blawearie 179 Examining the..paws of the dog to see if he might be expected to spurr well.
c. Scottish. (See quot. 1825.)
ΚΠ
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. To Spur, to scrape, as a hen or cock on a dunghill.
III. transitive.
8. To support or prop up (a post, etc.) by means of a strut or spur; to strengthen with spurs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] > prop
shore1340
undershore1393
prop1507
underpropa1535
crutch1641
rance1680
trig1711
spur1733
stut1808
spurn1865
scaffold1884
1733 J. Tull Horse-hoing Husbandry xxiii. 171 These Standards ought to be braced (or spurr'd) before and behind.
1743 W. Ellis Mod. Husbandman Oct. xxi. 126 By..spurring up a Gate, or Stile-Post, before they are quite damaged, he may save a Landlord a considerable Charge.
9. To prune in (a side-shoot, etc.) so as to form a spur close to the stem. Chiefly with in or back.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > [verb (transitive)] > trees: prune or lop > prune to leave spur
spur1830
1830 J. Baxter Libr. Agric. & Hort. Knowl. 157 Good lateral shoots may be spurred as before directed.
1840 Florist's Jrnl. Aug. 104 Instead of being spurred-in closely,..the shoots of the selected trees should be left somewhat longer.
1849 Beck's Florist 54 Spur them back in a way best calculated to form a bushy head.
10. To affect with the disease spur or ergot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > affect with disease or atmospheric conditions [verb (transitive)]
smut1626
snape1631
blight1695
houseburn1708
rust1759
spur1896
scorch1905
windrock1969
1896 L. Eckenstein Woman under Monasticism 286 Bread containing rye spurred or diseased with ergot.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 796 Wagner reported one-fifth of a bulk of rye to be spurred.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

spurv.2

Forms: Also Middle English spirr, spyrr.
Etymology: Special senses of spir, spur speer v.1 Compare ask v. 1d.
northern dialect.
1. transitive.
†a. To publish (the banns of marriage) in church. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > wedding or nuptials > official announcements, permission, or records > official announcements [verb (transitive)] > proclaim (banns)
spurc1400
c1400 in W. G. Henderson Manuale & Processionale Ecclesiæ Eboracensis (1875) p. xvi Yet I spyrr ye beynis off ye forsayde N. and N.
b. In past participle. Of persons: To be proclaimed in church as having a purpose of marriage.
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c1400 in W. G. Henderson Manuale & Processionale Ecclesiæ Eboracensis (1875) p. xvi N. and N...hase bene spirred thre solemne dayes in ye kirke.
1705 R. Thoresby Diary (1830) I. 460 There were also two-and-twenty couples spurred (to use the local word) in order to marry this day.
1852 Notes & Queries 1st Ser. VI. 329/2 ‘To be spurred up’ is to have had the banns published for three Sundays.
2. (See quot. 1674) Obsolete. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
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1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 44 To sparre..or spurre, to..cry at the Market.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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