spur fowl

Spur \Spur\, n. [OE. spure, spore, AS. spura, spora; akin to D.
   spoor, G. sporn, OHG. sporo, Icel. spori, Dan. spore, Sw.
   sporre, and to AS. spor a trace, footstep, spyrian to trace,
   track, examine, and E. spurn. [root]171. Cf. {Sparrow},
   {Spere}, {Spoor}, {Spurn}.]
   1. An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a
      horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs
      have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs
      were the badge of knighthood.
      [1913 Webster]

            And on her feet a pair of spurs large. --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That which goads to action; an incitement.
      [1913 Webster]

            Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise
            (That last infirmity of noble mind)
            To scorn delights and live laborious days. --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Something that projects; a snag.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. One of the large or principal roots of a tree. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Zool.) Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs
      of certain birds, on the legs of insects, etc.;
      especially, the spine on a cock's leg.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range
      of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral
      direction, or at right angles.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot,
      to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to
      strip off the blubber.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. (Carp.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected
      part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.
      [1913 Webster]

   9. (Arch.)
      (a) The short wooden buttress of a post.
      (b) A projection from the round base of a column,
          occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the
          base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to
          a nearly square form. It is generally carved in
          leafage.
          [1913 Webster]

   10. (Bot.)
       (a) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a
           spur. --Gray.
       (b) Ergotized rye or other grain. [R.]
           [1913 Webster]

   11. (Fort.) A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins
       to an inner wall.
       [1913 Webster]

   12. (Shipbuilding)
       (a) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before
           launching, having the upper ends bolted to the
           vessel's side.
       (b) A curved piece of timber serving as a half beam to
           support the deck where a whole beam can not be
           placed.
           [1913 Webster]

   13. (Mining) A branch of a vein.
       [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   14. The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor.
       [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   {Spur fowl} (Zool.), any one of several species of Asiatic
      gallinaceous birds of the genus {Galloperdix}, allied to
      the jungle fowl. The males have two or more spurs on each
      leg.

   {Spur gear} (Mach.), a cogwheel having teeth which project
      radially and stand parallel to the axis; a spur wheel.

   {Spur gearing}, gearing in which spur gears are used. See
      under {Gearing}.

   {Spur pepper}. (Bot.) See the Note under {Capsicum}.

   {Spur wheel}. Same as {Spur gear}, above.
      [1913 Webster]