Spunk (spk), n. [Gael. spong, or Ir. sponc, tinder, sponge; cf. AS.
sponge a sponge (L. spongia), spn a chip. Cf. Sponge, Punk.] [Written
also sponk.] 1. Wood that readily takes fire; touchwood; also, a kind
of tinder made from a species of fungus; punk; amadou. Sir T. Browne.
2. An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck; as, a man of spunk.
[Colloq.]
A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk, and spirit, and power,
both of mind and body.
Prof. Wilson.
Spunk"y (?), a. [Compar. Spunkier (?); superl. Spunkiest.] Full of
spunk; quick; spirited. [Colloq.]
Spur (?), n. [See Sparrow.] (Zoöl.) (a) A sparrow. [Scot.] (b) A tern.
[Prov. Eng.]
Spur, n. [OE. spure, AS. spura, spora; akin to D. spoor, G. sporn, OHG.
sporo, Icel. spori, Dan. spore, Sw. sporre, and to AS. spor a trace,
footstep, spyrian to trace, track, examine, and E. spurn. √171.
Cf. Sparrow, Spere, Spoor, Spurn.] 1. An implement secured to the heel,
or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure.
Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs
were the badge of knighthood.
And on her feet a pair of spurs large.
Chaucer.