Spur Meaning
/spɜː/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA rigid implement, often roughly y-shaped, that is fixed to one's heel for the purpose of prodding a horse. Often worn by, and emblematic of, the cowboy or the knight.
nounA jab given with the spurs.
Sentence Examples
More money for education will spur economic growth.
He says things on the spur of the moment.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The coach's words ____ the team to play harder and win the game.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The rider used a small metal ____ on her boot to encourage the horse to move a bit faster.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English spure, spore, from Old English spora, spura, from Proto-West Germanic *spurō, from Proto-Germanic *spurô, from Proto-Indo-European *sperH- (“to kick”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Lives he, good uncle? thrice within this hour I saw him down; thrice up again, and fighting; From helmet to the spur all blood he was."
— 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vi], line 4:
"Tvvo ſorts of ſpurs ſeem to have been in uſe about the time of the Conqueſt, one called a pryck, having only a ſingle point like the gaffle of a fighting cock; the other conſiſting of a number of points of a conſiderable length, radiating from and revolving on a center, thence named the rouelle or vvheel ſpur."
— 1786, Francis Grose, “Tilting Armour”, in A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, […], London: […] S. Hooper, […], →OCLC, page 28:
"I had hardly said the word, when Kit jumped into the saddle, and gave his horse a whip and a spur — and off it cantered, as if it were in as great a hurry to be married as Kit himself."
— 1832, The Atheneum, volume 31, page 493:
"She is a theame of honour and renowne, / A ſpurre to valiant and magnanimous deeds, / Whoſe preſent courage may beate downe our foes, / And fame in time to come canonize us, [...]"
— c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid. […] (First Quarto), London: […] G[eorge] Eld for R[ichard] Bonian and H[enry] Walley, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
"[…] the strong-bas'd promontory / Have I made shake; and by the spurs pluck'd up / The pine and cedar […]"
— 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The coach's words ____ the team to play harder and win the game.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The rider used a small metal ____ on her boot to encourage the horse to move a bit faster.