spur
Rider's heel device
A spur is a device worn on the heel that a rider uses to prod a horse.
From this meaning, some other things that project from a surface (bone spur), or that are used for encouragement, are called spurs.
To spur a horse is to use spurs on it.
To spur something abstract is to encourage it with a particular action: The company enacted a program to spur innovation in the tech industry.
To earn your spurs in some endeavor is to achieve a level of competency.
What prompts a reaction
- incentiveReward encouraging action
- impetusForce initiating action
- catalystAgent enabling change
- provocationAct that triggers response
encouragement · inducement · goad · prod · prompt · drive · urge · inspiration
Spiked wheel on spur
- jingleBrief advertising melody
- heelFoot's rear underside
- bootHigh shoe or startup
- riderOne who mounts transport
bronco · rodeo · saddle · chaps · wrangler · lasso · corral · buckaroo
Sudden brain blood blockage
- serifLetter terminal flourish
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- extensionAdded part or duration
- terminalAt the endpoint
Narrow raised strip
- foothillLow ridge below mountains
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- outcropSurfacing native stone
- prominenceNotable status or visibility
escarpment · arete · buttress · offshoot · subsidiary · lateral · extension · crag
Sharp rise or point
- pointExact location or meaning
- prongPointed projecting part
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- barbBackward-pointing spike
tine · spine · claw · talon · prickle · protrusion · jag · spike
Division or woody limb
- sidingExterior wall covering
- junctionPoint where things meet
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- trackPath or monitored route
offshoot · freight · terminus · railhead · connector · yard · shunt · mainline
Foot's rear underside
- boneHard skeletal tissue
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- outgrowthSomething developing from another
- processSteps toward a result
stimulus
What prompts a reaction
provocation · encouragement · inducement · goad · prod · prompt · drive · urge · inspiration · instigation
rowel
Spiked wheel on spur
rider · bronco · rodeo · saddle · chaps · wrangler · lasso · corral · buckaroo · mustang
stroke
Sudden brain blood blockage
- serifLetter terminal flourish
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- extensionAdded part or duration
ridge
Narrow raised strip
- foothillLow ridge below mountains
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- outcropSurfacing native stone
prominence · escarpment · arete · buttress · offshoot · subsidiary · lateral · extension · crag · tor
spike
Sharp rise or point
- pointExact location or meaning
- prongPointed projecting part
- projectionSomething that extends outward
barb · tine · spine · claw · talon · prickle · protrusion · jag · spike · horn
branch
Division or woody limb
track · offshoot · freight · terminus · railhead · connector · yard · shunt · mainline · turnout
heel
Foot's rear underside
- boneHard skeletal tissue
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- outgrowthSomething developing from another
- Old Westcowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
- Wild Westcowboy, howdy, sheriff, giddyup, lawmen
- promptsprompt, prompts, prompting, cue, hint
- Pampaspampas, pampas grass, estancia, gauchos, plains
- rail yardsswitchyard, marshalling yards, receiving yard, yard crew, yardmaster
- ranchingcattle, ranch, rancher, ranchers, ranching
spurdeterrent
Thing that discourages action
disincentive · discouragement · hindrance · restraint · impediment
- spur of the momentDone without prior planning
- spur onUrge to action
- on the spur of the momentWithout forethought or preparation
- bone spurAbnormal skeletal outgrowth
- earn one's spursGain credibility through performance
- San Antonio SpursTexas professional basketball team