Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

spur

2 verb
     
Related topics: Horses
spur2 past tense and past participle spurred, present participle spurring
1 [transitive] also spur somebody on to encourage someone or make them want to do something:
The band were spurred on by the success of their last two singles.
spur somebody (on) to do something
His misfortunes spurred him to write.
spur somebody (on) to something
the coach who spurred him on to Olympic success
It was an article in the local newspaper which finally spurred him into action.
2 [transitive] to make an improvement or change happen faster [= encourage]:
Lower taxes would spur investment and help economic growth.
3 [intransitive and transitive]DSH to encourage a horse to go faster, especially by pushing it with special points on the heels of your boots
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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