spur

/ˈspər/

Middle English spure, from Old English spura; akin to Old English spurnan to kick

noun

  1. a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse

  2. recognition and reward for achievement

  3. a goad to action : stimulus

won his academic spurs as the holder of a chair in a university

motive impulse incentive inducement spur goad mean a stimulus to action. motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act. impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

verb

  1. to urge (a horse) on with spurs

  2. to incite to action or accelerated growth or development : stimulate

  3. to put spurs on

noun

  1. a gear wheel with radial teeth parallel to its axis —called also spur wheel