An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. A pointed device on the heel of a rider’s boot used
   to urge on the horse.
   

2. A sharp horny part on the leg of some birds.
   

3. Geology: A lateral lower mountain ridge descending from the mountain or the main ridge crest.
   

4. Mining: A small vein branching from a main one.
   

5. → Orion Spur.

Etymology (EN): M.E. spur, from O.E. spura, spora “metal implement worn on the heel to goad a horse,” akin to M.Du. spore, Du. spoor, O.H.G. sporo, Ger. Sporn “spur.”

Etymology (PE): Šaxâk, from šax “hard ground, especially on the summit or at the skirt of a mountain; anything hard; a mountain,” + noun/nuance suffix -âk.
Mehmiz “a spur, a goad,” loan from Ar.