spurgall
/ˈspɜrɡɔl/
verb
- To injure or irritate (a horse) by using spurs too harshly or excessively.
- The rider was careful not to spurgall the horse during the long ride.
- If you keep digging your heels in like that, you'll spurgall the poor animal.
- The stable hand warned the novice rider that rough spurring could spurgall the horse's sides.
- To annoy, harass, or cause distress to someone, especially by persistent criticism or pressure.
- Politicians often spurgall their opponents with pointed questions during debates.
- She didn't mean to spurgall her brother, but her teasing went too far.
- The manager's constant nitpicking began to spurgall the entire team.
noun
- A sore or wound on a horse caused by the excessive or improper use of spurs.
- The veterinarian treated the spurgall on the horse's flank with antiseptic.
- The old cowboy knew how to avoid leaving a spurgall even on a spirited horse.
- A spurgall can become infected if not cleaned and bandaged properly.
- A source of irritation or annoyance; a persistent bother.
- For the quiet librarian, the noisy construction next door was a constant spurgall.
- His habit of interrupting others became a real spurgall among his friends.
- The broken printer was a spurgall to everyone in the office.
Synonyms