caltrop
noun
cal·trop ˈkal-trəp 
ˈkȯl-
variants or less commonly calthrop
ˈkal-thrəp
ˈkȯl-
1
a
caltrops also calthrops plural in form but singular or plural in construction : star thistle sense 1
b
: puncture vine
also : any of various related herbs (genera Tribulus and Kallstroemia) of the same family (Zygophyllaceae, the caltrop family)
2
: a device with four metal points so arranged that when any three are on the ground the fourth projects upward as a hazard to the hooves of horses or to pneumatic tires
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web During a search warrant, investigators learned that the man had purchased 170 caltrop spikes through his Amazon account. 
Connor Sanders, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Nov. 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 See More
Connor Sanders, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Nov. 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 The book’s cover image reflects the internal shape of the novel: a caltrop. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 25 July 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English caltrappe, alteration of calketrappe star thistle, from Old English calcatrippe, from Medieval Latin calcatrippa
First Known Use
1519, in the meaning defined at sense 2