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1828.mshaffer.com › Word [span]
SPAN, n. [This word is formed on the root of bend, L. pando. The primary sense is to strain, stretch, extend, hence to join a team.] 1. The space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; the eighth of a fathom.2. A short space of time. Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy.3. A span of horses, consists of two of nearly the same color, and otherwise nearly alike, which are usually harness side by side. The word signifies properly the same as yoke, when applied to horned cattle, from buckling or fastening together. But in America, span always implies resemblance in color at least; it being an object of ambition with gentlemen and with teamters to unite two horses abreast that are alike.4. In seamen's language, a small line or cord, the middle of which is attached to a stay.SPAN, v.t. 1. To measure by the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder.2. To measure. This soul doth span the world.SPAN, v.i. To agree in color, or in color and size; as, the horses span well. [New England.] SPAN, pert. of spin. We now use spun.
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Evolution (or devolution) of this word [span]
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SPAN, n. [This word is formed on the root of bend, L. pando. The primary sense is to strain, stretch, extend, hence to join a team.] 1. The space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; the eighth of a fathom.2. A short space of time. Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy.3. A span of horses, consists of two of nearly the same color, and otherwise nearly alike, which are usually harness side by side. The word signifies properly the same as yoke, when applied to horned cattle, from buckling or fastening together. But in America, span always implies resemblance in color at least; it being an object of ambition with gentlemen and with teamters to unite two horses abreast that are alike.4. In seamen's language, a small line or cord, the middle of which is attached to a stay.SPAN, v.t. 1. To measure by the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder.2. To measure. This soul doth span the world.SPAN, v.i. To agree in color, or in color and size; as, the horses span well. [New England.] SPAN, pert. of spin. We now use spun. |
SPAN, n.1 [Sax. span; D. span; G. spanne; Dan. spand; a span in measure; Sw. span, a span in measure, and a set of coach horses, G. gespann; verbs, Sax. spannan, to span, to unite; gespanian, to join; D. and G. spannen; Dan. spander, to strain, stretch, bend, yoke. This word is formed on the root of bend, L. pando. The primary sense is to strain, stretch, extend, hence to join a team, Dan. forspand, D. gespan.]- The space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; the eighth of a fathom. – Holder.
- A short space of time.
Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy. – Farquhar.
- A span of horses, consists of two of nearly the same color, and otherwise nearly alike, which are usually harnessed side by side. The word signifies properly the same as yoke, when applied to horned cattle, from buckling or fastening together. But in America, span always implies a resemblance in color at least; it being an object of ambition with gentlemen and with teamsters to unite two horses abreast that are alike.
- In seamen's language, a small line or cord, the middle of which is attached to a stay.
SPAN, n.2In architecture, the spread or extent of an arch between its abutments.
SPAN, v. [pret of Spin.][Obs.] We now use spun.
SPAN, v.i.To agree in color, or in color and size; as, the horses span well. [New England.]
SPAN, v.t.- To measure by the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder.
- To measure.
This soul doth span the world. – Herbert.
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Span
- imp. & p. p. of
Spin.
- The space from the thumb to the
end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a
fathom.
- To
measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the
fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or
distance; to span a cylinder.
- To be matched, as
horses.
- Hence, a small space or a brief portion of
time.
- To reach from one side of to the order; to
stretch over as an arch.
- The spread or extent of an arch between its
abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like,
between its supports.
- To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
- A rope having its ends made
fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made
fast in the center so that both ends can be used.
- A pair of horses or other animals driven together;
usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and
action.
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Span SPAN, noun [This word is formed on the root of bend, Latin pando. The primary sense is to strain, stretch, extend, hence to join a team.] 1. The space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; the eighth of a fathom. 2. A short space of time. Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy. 3. A span of horses, consists of two of nearly the same color, and otherwise nearly alike, which are usually harness side by side. The word signifies properly the same as yoke, when applied to horned cattle, from buckling or fastening together. But in America, span always implies resemblance in color at least; it being an object of ambition with gentlemen and with teamters to unite two horses abreast that are alike. 4. In seamen's language, a small line or cord, the middle of which is attached to a stay. SPAN, verb transitive 1. To measure by the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder. 2. To measure. This soul doth span the world. SPAN, verb intransitive To agree in color, or in color and size; as, the horses span well. [New England.] SPAN, pert. of spin. We now use spun. |
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520 |
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324 |
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227 |
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185 |
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* As a note, I have purchased each of these products. In fact, as we have been developing the Project:: 1828 Reprint, I have purchased several of the bulky hard-cover dictionaries. My opinion is that the 2000-page hard-cover edition is the only good viable solution at this time. The compact edition was a bit disappointing and the CD-ROM as well. |
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