n. [ See Sparrow. ] (Zool.) (a) A sparrow. [ Scot. ] (b) A tern. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. spure, spore, AS. spura, spora; akin to D. spoor, G. sporn, OHG. sporo, Icel. spori, Dan. spore, Sw. sporre, and to AS. spor a trace, footstep, spyrian to trace, track, examine, and E. spurn. √171. Cf. Sparrow, Spere, Spoor, Spurn. ] 1. An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge of knighthood. [ 1913 Webster ]

And on her feet a pair of spurs large. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

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2. That which goads to action; an incitement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise
(That last infirmity of noble mind)
To scorn delights and live laborious days. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Something that projects; a snag. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. One of the large or principal roots of a tree. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Zool.) Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain birds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock's leg. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Carp.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Arch.) (a) The short wooden buttress of a post. (b) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. (Bot.) (a) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur. Gray. (b) Ergotized rye or other grain. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

11. (Fort.) A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall. [ 1913 Webster ]

12. (Shipbuilding) (a) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side. (b) A curved piece of timber serving as a half beam to support the deck where a whole beam can not be placed. [ 1913 Webster ]

13. (Mining) A branch of a vein. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

14. The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Spur fowl (Zool.), any one of several species of Asiatic gallinaceous birds of the genus Galloperdix, allied to the jungle fowl. The males have two or more spurs on each leg. --
Spur gear (Mach.), a cogwheel having teeth which project radially and stand parallel to the axis; a spur wheel. --
Spur gearing, gearing in which spur gears are used. See under Gearing. --
Spur pepper. (Bot.) See the Note under Capsicum. --
Spur wheel. Same as Spur gear, above. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spurred p. pr. & vb. n. Spurring. ] 1. To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to urge or goad; as, to spur a horse. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Love will not be spurred to what it loathes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To spur on one's horse; to travel with great expedition; to hasten; hence, to press forward in any pursuit. “Now spurs the lated traveler.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Parthians shall be there,
And, spurring from the fight, confess their fear. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The roads leading to the capital were covered with multitudes of yeomen, spurring hard to Westminster. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some bold men, . . . by spurring on, refine themselves. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To gall or wound with a spur. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A place galled or excoriated by much using of the spur. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. espurge, F. épurge, from OF. espurgier to purge, L. expurgare. See Expurgate, Purge. ] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Euphorbia. See Euphorbia. [ 1913 Webster ]

Spurge flax, an evergreen shrub (Daphne Gnidium) with crowded narrow leaves. It is a native of Southern Europe. --
Spurge laurel, a European shrub (Daphne Laureola) with oblong evergreen leaves. --
Spurge nettle. See under Nettle. --
Spurge olive, an evergreen shrub (Daphne oleoides) found in the Mediterranean region. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Etymol. uncertain. ] To emit foam; to froth; -- said of the emission of yeast from beer in course of fermentation. [ Obs. ] W. Cartright. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) Any euphorbiaceous plant. Lindley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See 2d Spurge. ] A purging. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]