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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Spur Meaning: Incentive & Riding Spur Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：incentive (spur)

spur 🔊

/spɜːr/

Something that encourages or pushes someone to do something or to happen faster.

incentive 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/

A spur is something that encourages or pushes someone to take action or move faster.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English spora, spura ('a goad'), related to spurnan ('to kick').

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a SPUR as something that SPURS you on – it pushes you to move faster.

📖 Example

The encouraging feedback from her teacher served as a spur for Lily to submit her artwork to the competition. 🔊 The encouraging feedback from her teacher served as a spur for Lily to submit her artwork to the competition.

🔗 Collocations

act as a spur – To serve as a motivation or incentive.

provide a spur – To give someone the encouragement they need.

need a spur – To require external motivation to take action.

🔄 Synonyms

incentive (n.) – Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.

motivation (n.) – The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

stimulus (n.) – Something that rouses or incites a person to activity or action.

🚫 Antonyms

deterrent (n.) – A thing that discourages or prevents someone from doing something.

discouragement (n.) – A loss of confidence or enthusiasm; something that disheartens.

🌱 Derivatives

spur (v.) – To encourage or urge someone to take action or move faster.

spurring (adj.) – Providing encouragement or motivation.

spurless (adj.) – Lacking a spur; without encouragement.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'spur' dates back to Old English and originally referred to a metal tool attached to a rider's boot to urge a horse forward. By the 16th century, it began to be used metaphorically for anything that motivates or accelerates action.

Meaning 2：riding spur (spur)

spur 🔊

/spɜːr/

A small, spiked wheel or point attached to a rider's boot heel, used to urge a horse to go faster.

Spur riding: close-up of metal spur on leather boot heel

riding spur 🔊

➕

/ˈraɪdɪŋ spɜːr/

A small metal spike or wheel attached to a rider's boot used to urge a horse to go faster.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The rider gently touched the horse's side with her spur to signal it to canter. 🔊 The rider gently touched the horse's side with her spur to signal it to canter.

🔗 Collocations

use a spur – To apply the metal tool to the horse's side as a signal.

apply the spur – To press the spur against the horse to urge it on.

light spur – A gentle use of the spur, indicating a mild command.

🔄 Synonyms

goad (n.) – A spiked stick used for driving cattle or urging a horse forward.

prick (n.) – A small sharp point or device that can be used to prod an animal.

rowel (n.) – The small revolving wheel with points on a spur.

🚫 Antonyms

bit (n.) – A metal mouthpiece used to control a horse, often associated with slowing down.

🌱 Derivatives

spurred (adj.) – Wearing or equipped with spurs.

spurrier (n.) – A person who makes or sells spurs.