Despite the huge number of original terms, Russian speech remains very friendly to those who decide to study it. This is due to the presence of long and short synonyms that are understandable even with minimal knowledge of the language. A good example would be the spur. This is an interesting concept from geography and geology, which is rooted in ancient times and is directly related to the animal world.
Philological studies
A great contribution to the study of the word was made by Dahl. Almost all decoding definitions are based on similarities with specific formations on the heads of artiodactyl mammals:
- lateral processes of the corresponding form;
- dry powder (fork or bifurcation) of the horn;
- prefix or fitting of this kind;
- a branch on a tree;
- mountain branch, side ridge.
A very long list. But what unites the listed things and phenomena?
The spur is something pointed and extending from the main part. Remember the usual forks for throwing hay and their massive "teeth". Branched works of nature on deer heads or neat decorative elements.
Modern language
Today, most of the above interpretations have gone into oblivion. Deprecated or replaced by borrowed terms. For a person of the 21st century, the meaning of the word "spur" implies exclusively an offshoot from the main mountain range. Such a stone formation can stand out against the background of overgrown slopes or stretch for many kilometers "tongue", whose dimensions are lost against the background of the entire ridge.
Experts attribute relative narrowness and short length to its main characteristics. In addition, if the stone ledge also goes down to the periphery, it is a spur, without any doubt. There is such a geological phenomenon under the influence of natural elements and erosion dismemberment:
- surface waters;
- under the influence of strong wind.
The processes of washing out and blowing out the smallest particles of the rock take millennia, therefore they are not noticeable for local residents.
Current use
Be sure to add the word in the lexicon! If you often travel or live outside the plain, the spur is one of the useful landmarks. Stone branches allow you to quickly find the main ridge, and their shape or location helps to navigate the terrain even in the absence of a compass. In addition, the word itself diversifies speech. It allows a couple of proposals to paint the beauty of the area to potential clients of a travel agency or to identify key positions when conducting rescue operations.