spur

/spɜː/noun
Middle School
1

A rigid implement, often roughly y-shaped, that is fixed to one's heel for the purpose of prodding a horse. Often worn by, and emblematic of, the cowboy or the knight.

2

A jab given with the spurs.

3

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

4

An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster.

5

Any protruding part connected at one end, for instance a highway that extends from another highway into a city.

6

Roots, tree roots.

7

A mountain that shoots from another mountain or range and extends some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.

8

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.

9

A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, such as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.

10

The short wooden buttress of a post.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing