English

Etymology
Old English spora

Pronunciation
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-��(r)|-��(r)

Noun
en-noun

1. A rigid implement, often roughly y-shaped, that is fixed to one's heel for purpose of prodding a horse. Often worn by, and emblematic of, the cowboy or the knight.
2. slang Fan or member of Tottenham Hotspur F.C

#:Quotations
#:*1598: 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. — William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act IV, Scene VI, line 4.
#:*1786: Two 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 considerable length, radiating from and revolving on a center, thence named the rouelle or wheel spur. — Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 22.
#:See also
#:* rowel
#:* pryck, prick
#:External links
#:*Wikipedia article on w:spur|spur.

1. Anything that inspires or motivates, as a spur does to a horse.

#:Quotations
#:*1601: But, worthy Hector, She is a theme of honour and renown, A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds... — William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, Act II, Scene II, line 198.

1. An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster.
2. Any protruding part connected at one end, for instance a highway that extends from another highway into a city.
3. Roots. (As in genealogical?). Spurs are symbolic of knighthood, so perhaps spurs in this context is an allusion to the hereditary aspect of knighthood. Any insights would be appreciated.

#:Quotations
#:*1609: I do note That grief and patience, rooted in them both, Mingle their spurs together. — William Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Act IV, Scene II, line 57.

Derived terms
spur-of-the-moment

Translations
trans-top|A rigid implement, often roughly y-shaped, that is fixed to one's heel for purpose of prodding a horse
Czech: ostruha f
Finnish: kannus
trans-mid
German: Spore f
Polish: ostroga f
Spanish: espuela f
trans-bottom

trans-top|Anything that inspires or motivates, as a spur does to a horse
Finnish: kannustin
trans-mid
German: Ansporn
trans-bottom

trans-top|An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster
Czech: ostruha f
trans-mid
trans-bottom

trans-top|Any protruding part connected at one end, for instance a highway that extends from another highway into a city
trans-mid
trans-bottom

trans-top|Roots
Finnish: kannus
trans-mid
trans-bottom

Verb
en-verb|spur|r|ed

1. To prod (esp. a horse) in the side or flank, with the intent to urge motion or haste, to gig.

#:Quotations
#:*1592: Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood; Amaze the welkin with your broken staves! — William Shakespeare, Richard III, Act V, Scene III, line 339.

1. 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.

#:Quotations
#:*1599: My desire (More sharp than filed steel) did spur me forth... — William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene IV, line 4.

1. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.

Translations
trans-top|to prod
Finnish: kannustaa
German: die Sporen geben
trans-mid
Swedish: sporra
trans-bottom

trans-top|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
Finnish: kannustaa, yllyttää
German: anspornen
trans-mid
Swedish: sporra
trans-bottom

trans-top|To put spurs on
German: [[Sporen versehen
trans-mid
trans-bottom

et:spur
fa:spur
fr:spur
io:spur
it:spur
ku:spur
nl:spur
pl:spur
te:spur
vi:spur
zh:spur

• 2007-10-17 23:58 - Interwicket - iwiki +nl, te

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