Spur vs Spark - What's the difference?
spur | spark |
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.
* 1598 , William Shakespeare, (Henry V) , Act IV, Scene VI, line 4:
* 1786 , Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons , page 22:
Anything that inspires or motivates, as a spur does to a horse.
* 1601 , (William Shakespeare), (Troilus and Cressida) , Act II, Scene II, line 198.
An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster.
Any protruding part connected at one end, for instance a highway that extends from another highway into a city.
Roots, tree roots.
* 1609 , , Act IV, Scene II, line 57:
* 1610 , , act 5 scene 1
A mountain that shoots from another mountain or range and extends some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.
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.
(carpentry) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, such as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.
(architecture) The short wooden buttress of a post.
(architecture) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage.
Ergotized rye or other grain.
A wall in a fortification that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.
(shipbuilding) A piece of timber fixed on the bilgeways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side.
(shipbuilding) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam cannot be placed.
To prod (especially a horse) in the side or flank, with the intent to urge motion or haste, to gig.
* 1592 , William Shakespeare, Richard III , Act V, Scene III, line 339:
To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive.
* 1599 , William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night , Act III, Scene IV, line 4.
* '>citation
To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.
A spurious tone, one that interferes with a signal in a circuit and is often masked underneath that signal.
A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire.
A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
(figuratively) A small amount of something, such as an idea, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire.
* Shakespeare
* John Locke
* 2013 , Phil McNulty, "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980]", BBC Sport , 1 September 2013:
(in plural'' sparks ''but treated as a singular ) A ship's radio operator.
(UK, slang) An electrician.
To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).
* {{quote-news
, year=2012
, date=May 5
, author=Phil McNulty
, title=Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
, work=BBC Sport
To give off a spark or sparks.
A gallant, a foppish young man.
* Prior
A beau, lover.
As nouns the difference between spur and spark
is that spur is 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 while spark is a small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire.As verbs the difference between spur and spark
is that spur is to prod (especially a horse) in the side or flank, with the intent to urge motion or haste, to gig while spark is to trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).spur
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) (m).Noun
(en noun)- Lives he, good uncle? thrice within this hour I saw him down; thrice up again, and fighting; From helmet to the spur all blood he was.
- Two sorts of spurs seem to have been in use about the time of the Conquest, one called a pryck, having only a single point like the gaffle of a fighting cock; the other consisting of a number of points of considerable length, radiating from and revolving on a center, thence named the rouelle or wheel spur.
- But, worthy Hector, She is a theme of honour and renown, A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds...
- I do note / That grief and patience, rooted in them both, / Mingle their spurs together.
- [...] the strong-bas'd promontory
- Have I made shake; and by the spurs pluck'd up
- The pine and cedar
Derived terms
* spur-of-the-momentVerb
(spurr)- Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood; Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!
- My desire / (More sharp than filed steel) did spur me forth...
Derived terms
* spur onEtymology 2
See sparrow.Etymology 3
Short for spurious.Noun
(en noun)spark
English
(wikipedia spark)Etymology 1
From Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from (etyl) ).Noun
(en noun)- if any spark of life be yet remaining
- We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge .
- Everton's Marouane Fellaini looks one certain arrival but Moyes, who also saw United held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, needs even more of a spark in a midfield that looked laboured by this team's standards.
Synonyms
* gnast * beginnings, germ, glimmerDerived terms
* sparkle * bright spark * spark arrester * spark coil * spark gap * spark knock * spark of life * spark plug * spark transmitter * sparks flyVerb
(en verb)citation, page= , passage=The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages.}}
Derived terms
* spark off * sparkleEtymology 2
probably Scandinavian, akin to (etyl) sparkr 'sprightly'Noun
(en noun)- The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.