Definition

A type of thorny shrub or the sharp projection on the leg of a male chicken used for fighting.

Example

The gardener planted a cockspur to add some unique texture to the landscape.

Conversation

I saw a really interesting plant in the garden yesterday.

Oh really? What kind of plant was it?

It was a thorny shrub called a cockspur, and it looked quite unique.

That sounds cool! I love discovering new plants.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cockspur is formed from "cock" (from Old English "coc", meaning rooster) and "spur" (from Old English "spear", meaning a pointed device used to urge a horse forward). The word refers to a type of thorn or projection resembling a rooster's spur.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'rooster' ('cock') with its 'pointed device' ('spur') — that's why a cockspur resembles a rooster's spur.

Visually Confused Words