A verbalization that encourages you to attempt something.

synonyms: goad, goading, prod, prodding, spurring, urging.

Roget 250: convexity, prominence, projection, swelling, gibbosity^†, bilge, bulge, protuberance, protrusion; camber, cahot [U.S.].    thank-ye-ma'am [U.S.].    swell.    intumescence; tumour [Brit.], tumor; tubercle, tuberosity [Anat.]; excrescence; hump, hunch, bunch.    boss, embossment, hub, hubble; [convex body parts] tooth [U.S.], knob, elbow, process, apophysis^†, condyle, bulb, node, nodule, nodosity^†, tongue, dorsum, bump, clump; sugar loaf etc. (sharpness) 253; bow; mamelon^†; molar; belly, corporation^†, pot belly, gut [Coll.]; withers, back, shoulder, lip, flange.    [convexities on skin] pimple, zit [Slang]; wen, wheel, papula [Med.], pustule, pock, proud flesh, growth, sarcoma, caruncle^†, corn, wart, pappiloma, furuncle, polypus^†, fungus, fungosity^†, exostosis^†, bleb, blister, blain^†; boil etc. (disease) 655; airbubble^†, blob, papule, verruca.    [convex body parts on chest] papilla, nipple, teat, tit [Vulg.], titty [Vulg.], boob [Vulg.], knocker [Vulg.], pap, breast, dug, mammilla^†.    [prominent convexity on the face] proboscis, nose, neb, beak, snout, nozzle, schnoz [Coll.].    peg, button, stud, ridge, rib, jutty, trunnion, snag.    cupola, dome, arch, balcony, eaves; pilaster.    relief, relievo [It], cameo; bassorilievo^†, mezzorilevo^†, altorivievo; low relief, bas relief [Fr.], high relief.    hill etc. (height) 206; cape, promontory, mull; forehead, foreland^†; point of land, mole, jetty, hummock, ledge, spur; naze^†, ness.    ... show more

Roget 615: motive, springs of action, wellsprings of action.    reason, ground, call, principle; by end, by purpose; mainspring, primum mobile [Lat.], keystone; the why and the wherefore; pro and con, reason why; secret motive, arriere pensee [Fr.]; intention etc. 620.    inducement, consideration; attraction; loadstone; magnet, magnetism, magnetic force; allectation^†, allective^†; temptation, enticement, agacerie^†, allurement, witchery; bewitchment, bewitchery; charm; spell etc. 993; fascination, blandishment, cajolery; seduction, seducement; honeyed words, voice of the tempter, song of the Sirens forbidden fruit, golden apple.    persuasibility^†, persuasibleness^†; attractability^†; impressibility, susceptibility; softness; persuasiveness, attractiveness; tantalization^†.    influence, prompting, dictate, instance; impulse, impulsion; incitement, incitation; press, instigation; provocation etc. (excitation of feeling) 824; inspiration; persuasion, suasion; encouragement, advocacy; exhortation; advice etc. 695; solicitation etc. (request) 765; lobbyism; pull [Slang].    incentive, stimulus, spur, fillip, whip, goad, ankus^†, rowel, provocative, whet, dram.    bribe, lure; decoy, decoy duck; bait, trail of a red herring; bribery and corruption; sop, sop for Cerberus.    prompter, tempter; seducer, seductor^†; instigator, firebrand, incendiary; Siren, Circe; agent provocateur; lobbyist.    ... show more

Any sharply pointed projection.

synonyms: acantha, spine.

Roget 253: sharpness etc. adj.; acuity, acumination^†; spinosity^†.    point, spike, spine, spicule [Biol.], spiculum^†; needle, hypodermic needle, tack, nail, pin; prick, prickle; spur, rowel, barb; spit, cusp; horn, antler; snag; tag thorn, bristle; Adam's needle^†, bear grass [U.S.], tine, yucca.    nib, tooth, tusk; spoke, cog, ratchet.    crag, crest, arete [Fr.], cone peak, sugar loaf, pike, aiguille^†; spire, pyramid, steeple.    beard, chevaux de frise [Fr.], porcupine, hedgehog, brier, bramble, thistle; comb; awn, beggar's lice, bur, burr, catchweed^†, cleavers, clivers^†, goose, grass, hairif^†, hariff, flax comb, hackle, hatchel^†, heckle.    wedge; knife edge, cutting edge; blade, edge tool, cutlery, knife, penknife, whittle, razor, razor blade, safety razor, straight razor, electric razor; scalpel; bistoury^†, lancet; plowshare, coulter, colter^†; hatchet, ax, pickax, mattock, pick, adze, gill; billhook, cleaver, cutter; scythe, sickle; scissors, shears, pruning shears, cutters, wire cutters, nail clipper, paper cutter; sword etc. (arms) 727; bodkin etc. (perforator) 262; belduque^†, bowie knife^†, paring knife; bushwhacker [U.S.]; drawing knife, drawing shave; microtome [Micro.]; chisel, screwdriver blade; flint blade; guillotine.    sharpener, hone, strop; grindstone, whetstone; novaculite^†; steel, emery.    ... show more

Tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers.

A sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward:
— Cowboys know not to squat with their spurs on.

synonym: gad.

Dutch: rijspoor, spoor
Polish: ostroga

A railway line connected to a trunk line.

synonyms: branch line, spur track.

Incite or stimulate.

Give heart or courage to.

synonym: goad.

Roget 615: induce, move; draw, draw on; bring in its train, give an impulse etc. n.; to; inspire; put up to, prompt, call up; attract, beckon.    stimulate etc. (excite) 824; spirit up, inspirit; rouse, arouse; animate, incite, foment, provoke, instigate, set on, actuate; act upon, work upon, operate upon; encourage; pat on the back, pat on the shoulder, clap on the back, clap on the shoulder.    influence, weigh with, bias, sway, incline, dispose, predispose, turn the scale, inoculate; lead by the nose; have influence with, have influence over, have influence upon, exercise influence with, exercise influence over, exercise influence upon; go round, come round one; turn the head, magnetize; lobby.    persuade; prevail with, prevail upon; overcome, carry; bring round to one's senses, bring to one's senses; draw over, win over, gain over, come over, talk over; procure, enlist, engage; invite, court.    tempt, seduce, overpersuade^†, entice, allure, captivate, fascinate, bewitch, carry away, charm, conciliate, wheedle, coax, lure; inveigle; tantalize; cajole etc. (deceive) 545.    tamper with, bribe, suborn, grease the palm, bait with a silver hook, gild the pill, make things pleasant, put a sop into the pan, throw a sop to, bait the hook.    enforce, force; impel etc. (push) 276; propel etc. 284; whip, lash, goad, spur, prick, urge; egg on, hound, hurry on; drag etc. 285; exhort; advise etc. 695; call upon &c.; press etc. (request) 765; advocate.    set an example, set the fashion; keep in countenance.    be persuaded &c.; yield to temptation, come round; concede etc. (consent) 762; obey a call; follow advice, follow the bent, follow the dictates of; act on principle.    ... show more

Strike with a spur.

Goad with spurs.

Equip with spurs.