Spurn (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spurned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spurning.] [OE. spurnen to kick against, to stumble over, AS. spurnan to kick, offend; akin to spura spur, OS. & OHG. spurnan to kick, Icel. spyrna, L. spernere to despise, Skr. sphur to jerk, to push. &root;171. See Spur.]

1.

To drive back or away, as with the foot; to kick.

[The bird] with his foot will spurn adown his cup. Chaucer.

I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Shak.

2.

To reject with disdain; to scorn to receive or accept; to treat with contempt.

What safe and nicely I might well delay By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. Shak.

Domestics will pay a more cheerful service when they find themselves not spurned because fortune has laid them at their master's feet. Locke.

 

© Webster 1913.


Spurn, v. i.

1.

To kick or toss up the heels.

The miller spurned at a stone. Chaucer.

The drunken chairman in the kennel spurns. Gay.

2.

To manifest disdain in rejecting anything; to make contemptuous opposition or resistance.

Nay, more, to spurn at your most royal image. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Spurn, n.

1.

A kick; a blow with the foot.

[R.]

What defence can properly be used in such a despicable encounter as this but either the slap or the spurn? Milton.

2.

Disdainful rejection; contemptuous tratment.

The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes. Shak.

3. Mining

A body of coal left to sustain an overhanding mass.

 

© Webster 1913.

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