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spur
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- pronunciation:
- spuhr
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb
- phrases:
- on the spur of the moment
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a device attached to a rider's boot heel that has a spike or toothed wheel and is used to urge the horse forward.
The rider dug his spurs into the horse's sides. |
| definition 2: |
anything that prods or incites to action or to greater effort or speed.
- synonyms:
- cue, goad, impetus, prod, prompt
- antonyms:
- curb, discouragement, restraint
- similar words:
- stimulant
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| definition 3: |
a pointed or projecting growth or formation, as on the legs of some birds such as roosters, or on human bone as a result of injury.
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| definition 4: |
a short section of railroad track that joins a main line.
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| related words: |
dynamic, incentive, inspiration, limb, prod, prompt |
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| phrase: |
on the spur of the moment |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
spurs, spurring, spurred |
| definition 1: |
to urge (a horse) to start or go faster by using spurs.
- synonyms:
- rowel
- similar words:
- drive, press, race, speed
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| definition 2: |
to urge or incite to act, to make a greater effort, or to go faster (often fol. by "on").
She might have given up trying to pass the exam, but her tutor's encouragement spurred her on.The incident spurred the government to enact a new law.- synonyms:
- egg, goad, prick, prod
- antonyms:
- curb, discourage, restrain
- similar words:
- actuate, drive, incite, lash, needle, press, prompt, provoke, rouse, stimulate, whip up
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| related words: |
abet, accelerate, arouse, defy, kindle, launch, motivate, prod, propel, rush, stir, urge, whip |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to use spurs to urge a horse to start or go faster.
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| related words: |
stimulate |
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