■ noun
1》 a device with a small spike or a spiked wheel, worn on a rider's heel for urging a horse forward.
2》 an incentive.
3》 a projection from a mountain or mountain range.
↘ Botany a slender tubular projection from the base of a flower, e.g. an orchid, typically containing nectar.
↘a short fruit-bearing side shoot.
↘a horny spike on the back of the leg of a cock or male game bird.
4》 a short branch road or railway line.
5》 a small support for ceramic ware in a kiln.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ring , ~red )
1》 urge (a horse) forward with ~s.
2》 (often ~ someone on ) encourage; give an incentive to.
3》 prune in (a side shoot) so as to form a ~ close to the stem.
Phrases
on the ~ of the moment on a momentary impulse.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~red adjective
Origin
OE spora , ~a , of Gmc origin; related to ~n .